Wherever you are, this is an invitation to remember, to worship, and to draw near to Him.

Listen to "I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130)" by Keith & Kristyn Getty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eJUqY_6tqo

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3sIGsIzS5gv4gUOAcl6aOy?si=dafeb3bc603e4cd3

Watch this short reflection video, and listen to the song to slow down and meditate on it.

Wherever you are, this is an invitation to remember, to worship, and to draw near to Him.

Listen to "What An Awesome God" by Phil Wickham

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFOe4c08dHc

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6SZY2dHMtwnjqWQdk3EpSv?si=05660ab1c5394e59

Wherever you are, this is an invitation to remember, to worship, and to draw near to Him.

Listen to "Christ Be Magnified" by Cody Carnes

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjGMlYywK9M

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0WfYGGL9NugwFZPWKLdz4N?si=6966c1990d834842

Wherever you are, this is an invitation to remember, to worship, and to draw near to Him.

Listen to "Two Wooden Beams" by Josiah Queen

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYhnmpsognI

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2hWTH0Q7X3aOpPRHGBwNqw?si=83b8601a9a214acd

Watch this short reflection video, and listen to the song to slow down and meditate on it.

Wherever you are, this is an invitation to remember, to worship, and to draw near to Him.

Listen to "Death Was Arrested" by North Point InsideOut

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMsMiluCUUI

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1rXQLRlZfNTj8uaxIsEZQi?si=aa409f77b2784b22

Watch this short reflection video, and listen to the song to slow down and meditate on it.

Wherever you are, this is an invitation to remember, to worship, and to draw near to Him.

Listen to "Calmer of the Storm" by Downhere

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNmIO9uN8eU

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/40Z8UGqSQXKv0P7wVNvChI?si=32c12f8369df43fb

My last church was in a community that was filled with wealthy, retired people. I met so many folks who spent so much of their retirement checking in with their wealth, moving investments around and living with stress. What should've been the time to spend what they had saved was taken over by the obsession to keep what they had. 

We've all seen how our addiction to money impacts our lives in destructive ways. Yet, we all battle hoping, thinking...that maybe it will be different with me. Oh what we would do if we could find the inside track on the best investment strategy. 

There is good news. The bible gives us a lot of guidance here in one of the most written about topics contained in its pages. It's not hidden in some complicated investment equation. It's right in the open...though challenging to apply. Yet those who live by it experience what so many spend a lifetime chasing and never experience. 

Take a look at James 5:1-6. It may scare you off a bit, but I promise you...there is more to it. I hope you'll join us this weekend as we explore the idea of "How To Live Rich Without Being Ruined". 

Fast forward 8 months and I finally understood the business model. I had gone to the gym barely a handful of times, the owner banking on my failure. I took advantage of the "deal," but never realized the benefit of my plan.

Isn't this how so many of us approach a loving God–who has freely given us His grace and has invited us into a life-giving relationship with eternal benefits? Our intentions may be good, that we want to experience something different than what life is delivering. We start off strong only to realize we're not taking advantage of all that God has for us as we walk "with" Him.

God is not "banking on my failure." God desires that we would experience the joy and peace of following His plan. The book of James acts like a trainer who shows the way to get spiritually healthy and isn't afraid to get in our face at times when we need a little push to stay on track.

In James 4:11-17, he takes us there again showing us practical ways to stay in spiritual shape. I encourage you to come with us and let's workout together in the community of church. I know it sounds a little cheesy, but it's good truth and a great deal.

One of the prayers I pray is about "sin in my life." I'll pray and ask God to help me overcome my judgmental spirit or my negativity–(insert your signature sin here). I find myself getting discouraged when I fall back into the same sins over and over. So, I pray again. I ask others to pray for me. I pray at church, in my car and before I go to bed.

I get worn out when those sins seem to stick to me like glue. Then I read James and I'm given some really practical advice: to make the decision to just "stop it." I know that's easier said than done, but it's where James goes in his letter.

Remember he's the one who said that if your faith doesn't result in action is it really faith at all? I'm still thinking about that. But he's right.

I'm going to keep praying over my sin, but now I'm adding a discipline or practice to do something about it. James gives us a lot to think about on this issue and this Sunday looks to be favorable for us to finally meet together... in person. I miss you all.

It wasn't my proudest moment. I wish it was simply "a" moment. Sadly, I have had too many "moments" where I was attempting to help someone see the truth...at least the way I saw it. 

Have you been there? You know you are right and the conversation has heated up because now you have to prove you are right. It had long shifted away from a respectful dialogue now to a need to win at all cost. 

I find myself getting "sucked into" this mode more than I care to admit. Yet, James tells his readers that this is not the way to communicate God's truth. James wants us to know how to be wise in the way we treat one another--that being righteous is more important than being right. 

Perhaps, this may be a root cause in some of the relational tension you may be feeling in your marriage, with your co-worker, friends, neighbors or family. We want everyone to agree with us...to do it our way...to be a clone of us. If we could just get everyone to understand, then all will be well in our world. Really?

I hope you continue with us in our ongoing look at this letter, penned by the brother of Jesus more than a few years ago. Surprisingly, it reads as though the ink might still be wet. 

I hope you can sit with us this weekend and join other friends and family as they do the same.

Fast forward 8 months and I finally understood the business model. I had gone to the gym barely a handful of times, the owner banking on my failure. I took advantage of the "deal," but never realized the benefit of my plan.

Isn't this how so many of us approach a loving God–who has freely given us His grace and has invited us into a life-giving relationship with eternal benefits? Our intentions may be good, that we want to experience something different than what life is delivering. We start off strong only to realize we're not taking advantage of all that God has for us as we walk "with" Him.

God is not "banking on my failure." God desires that we would experience the joy and peace of following His plan. The book of James acts like a trainer who shows the way to get spiritually healthy and isn't afraid to get in our face at times when we need a little push to stay on track.

In James 4:11-17, he takes us there again showing us practical ways to stay in spiritual shape. I encourage you to come with us and let's workout together in the community of church. I know it sounds a little cheesy, but it's good truth and a great deal.

It’s a great day to be an apprentice of Jesus.

Christians should never be surprised by a fallen world that produces fallen things. Distressed? Yes. But anxious? No. The Bible gives followers of Jesus a clear path for navigating life in a darkening world.

Church is where we practice this traveling together. Our peace can never come from this temporary world. It always comes from God alone. That said, we are not called to run or hide with our heads in the sand. Rather, we are to be instruments of hope, peace, and love to a world thirsting for it.

Our current series in the book of James tackles real struggles head-on and offers clear direction back to the narrow road. Last weekend, we experienced one of those challenges firsthand when severe weather forced us to cancel in-person gatherings at both campuses.

This weekend looks to be bringing some of the same. At this time, we plan to hold services as usual, but please continue to check our website first and church communication outlets for the most up-to-date information. If you have any concern at all about the weather, we strongly encourage you to stay home. While we will miss the intimacy of being together in person, our team is working hard to provide a rich and meaningful online worship experience–if it comes to that.

Additionally, during any weather-related challenges, please direct folks with emergency needs to this email or our website for current information and resources.

I tore out a picture of the Olympic symbol and a flag of Canada...and put it on my dresser in my room. Then I ran. I ran to school. I ran between classes. One time I even took the city bus to the track at our local university and I ran. 

Several weeks later, as I was walking past my dresser with a donut in my mouth I caught a glimpse of the flag and the Olympic symbol. I don't remember what happened to that picture, but I never saw it again. Mercifully, Canada did not compete in the 1980 Summer Olympics allowing me much-needed additional time to prepare for 1984. 

The truth of the matter was that I was inspired. I had a vision of what could be and I started off so well, but life got in the way. Distractions flourished and time went by. I never did live out my Olympic dream. 

Isn't that the way so many of us approach our faith? We sense a need that grows into desire to know the truth and to live it out in our lives. We find a church and we begin to "walk with Jesus." Our intentions are great...but life gets in the way. We never experience the "abundant life" (John 10:10) that Jesus came to give to us. 

Thankfully, God keeps the vision for becoming like Jesus...ever before us. However, we were never meant to accomplish it on our own. It begins with a longing that stirs within us. What follows is a decision to follow Jesus. But we need the Holy Spirit to be our help...AND we need each other to accomplish the vision. 

In a world so easily divided–where people are slow to listen and quick to speak instead of the other way around, this Sunday's topic in our James series will be a good look at the idea that “words matter.” Bill Brown is bringing the heat from James 3:1-12, so it's sure to teach all of us something. We’ll reflect on the power of our words and how God calls us to use them for life, truth, and grace.

Oh, and another fun thing! This weekend, Neil will also share a brief update on how 2025 ended and as we enter 2026, walk us through how to vote on the budget, membership, and slate of elders. We'll also have the 2025 Annual Report to share! A bunch of GracePoint's ministries have spent significant time contributing, so we're excited to share this renewed effort to tell the stories of what God's doing.

As we step further into a new year, I pray that the Lord guide your heart, shape your words, and strengthen your witness. Thank you for being part of what God is doing... we’re excited for what’s ahead!

I've reflected on another year of rich and meaningful relationships at GracePoint. Relationships that are deep because of the Spirit in each of us who know Jesus. It's been a time to think about my own abiding walk with the Lord too. I'm grateful that God continues to be patient when it comes to His continuing work on my own soul. 

I have also been sucked into the vortex of all the chaos this holiday season...striving to find the balance between the world's version of Christmas and the churches. I think I blew it on a few gifts I bought for loved ones. When I read the advertisement, they sounded so great. But when my purchases arrived, several of my gifts failed to live up to their billing. It was rather disappointing. 

Isn't that the way advertising goes? Rather than seeking to improve your life, most retailers are simply trying to separate you from your dollar. Hopefully we learn, as we move forward, how to read the fine print and know what we're getting into--saving much heartache and pain with future purchases. 

I wonder if some of us come to faith in Jesus in a similar fashion. We have an idea of what it means to follow Jesus. But once we commit to being a Christian, many of us find ourselves disappointed, frustrated and confused. And I wonder if some of the reason is because we bought into an "idea" of what it meant to follow Jesus, but we didn't really read what the bible says about following Jesus. Which, by the way, isn't fine print, but rather bold print. And it's good news. When we follow Jesus His way...it leads to such a better experience. 

I hope you'll join us at church on Sunday as we step back into our series on the book of James. 

Happy New Year. 

This holiday has a way of stirring up deep things within us. Whether it’s peace, meaning, hope, love, or something we can’t quite name, we long for something more. We’re continuing our Advent series, Seeking Jesus, where we step into the perspective of people in the Christmas story and learn from the way they sought Him. The ones we’re focusing on this weekend were looking for something too... and they followed it.

I’m reminded of the old Christmas hymn: “Coming from the Orient, traversing afar… westward leading, still proceeding… field and fountain, moor and mountain…” Quite a journey, not unlike the ones many of us will make in the coming weeks. I hope you’ll join us on Sunday as we reflect on this truth: not everything that shines can lead us home, but there is still a perfect Light worth following.

More than once I have been in a grocery store and I'm ready to check out. More than once, I see another shopping cart out of the corner of my eye, heading to the same open check out line that I am heading to. I'm not proud of this, but I have crafted the fine art of "racing without looking like I'm racing"...to get to the shorter line. 

Before you start judging me, admit that you do the same thing. Whether it's paying a little extra to be bumped to the front, racing to the short line or simply deciding to give up...none of us enjoys waiting. It's ingrained in our culture that always promises the consumer that we will deliver sooner, get you there faster and ensure "no waiting". 

Christmas is over. We now have to wait for over 360 sleeps for the next one. This week we are going to take a look at the Christmas "story after the story". We're going to see how "waiting" can be a sacred time in God's economy. 

We're going to worship together online. It's a day to rest...for you...for our volunteers...for our church. I hope you'll relax, fire up the screen and tune in. Perhaps invite a friend or a neighbor...or someone you know who will be alone this Sunday...to come and watch with you in your home. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

He also had tickets to the Grand Ole Opry. As a cheap Scotsman, I love getting free tickets to stuff. (Do you see a pattern here?) I've never been to the Grand Ole Opry. Now I have. I was awed at being in such an iconic place. I was amazed by the talent and the quality of the presentation. I found myself taking pictures and texting family and friends about the experience. It was exciting...and I couldn't stop talking about it. 

I imagine that this might've been like what the Shepherds in the book of Luke experienced when the birth of Jesus was announced (not that the Angels are like performers at Opryland). Multiply it by ten and likely more with the experience of such a celestial event. 

The point I want to make is about the response of the Shepherds. People who were among the lowest in society--who had no rights in the court of law--couldn't contain themselves. Their immediate response to experiencing God was TO GO. 

I often wonder if I know God well enough yet to realize that He's all that I need? I'm not sure I've ever allowed myself to experience His Presence in a way that motivates me TO GO--to go and tell others--to share the experience of wonder and hope that is for all people. I wonder. 

I hope you'll join us this week...to wonder alongside us...as we look at the Shepherd's experience at Christmas.

I feel that we’re surrounded by messages telling us to “find peace,” especially this time of year. As we continue our Advent series "Seeking Jesus," we will look at what peace is even when things are chaotic.

How? By looking at Mary and Joseph and what they found to be the answer! Spoiler alert: the Bible reminds us that peace isn’t something we manufacture, rather it’s Someone we meet. I won't ruin anything else for you, because if I write it here, it'll give the whole thing away and I'll have nothing to say this weekend.

On Sunday as we gather, we’ll explore how God offers something deeper and more steady than anything our circumstances can muster. If your week has been noisy, unpredictable, or full of the unexpected, you’re not alone, and God has something to say about it.

Hope you’ll be with us this Sunday.

Without getting into details, God miraculously provided a great home. It has more than enough room for our family...AND a dog. It had a fireplace and a great yard...along with wonderful neighbors. We thought, this is it. We will never be wanting again. 

Isn't it amazing how things get old so quickly? Within weeks, we were thinking about needing something more. As a people, it is our nature to always want more. 

We are also obsessed with trying to figure life out. We are all seeking to find out

how we got here...why we are here...and where we are going. 

What amazes me is that the bible answers that question in spades. Many of us come to church and celebrate that we have found what we have been looking for. This week, we will gather around tables and thank God for providing that. This Christmas we'll hold candles as we sing Silent Night and celebrate the birth of Jesus who showed us the way. 

But what amazes me, is that so many of us come Monday, go right back to living our lives as if we are still seeking. We pursue more money or deeper love. We travel to exotic places to find peace and rest. We need to "remember" that Jesus is THE way. We will only find our rest in Him. He gives our lives meaning and purpose. 

This week, as you gather around tables and as we prepare for the Christmas season, begin to focus on celebrating Jesus in the times outside of Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Meditate on the greatest gift we could possibly have been given and practice walking more intimately with the one who has freely given it all. 

We made our way across the water to a small island. A secluded and peaceful white sandy beach came into view. We paddled as fast as we could to stake our claim. Ugh what a glorious time. We spread out on the warm sand, swam in the cool water, ate like royalty (Doritos can seem like royalty at times) and napped lazily in our hammocks. 

Then it happened. A splash in the distance. Other kayaks were coming our way. Not one but eight kayaks. I did my best to discourage their desire to come ashore. I spread out our stuff to make it look like it was a Smith Family Reunion...but they would not be dismayed. They scrambled on the beach like a bunch of geese landing to rest on their migration. 

Our plans were shattered. I was grumpy. I know it's hard to picture your Pastor being irritable and I'm ashamed to admit it. The people were nice and even invited us to have a meal with them. Outwardly, I was polite. Inwardly, I was seething. I began to judge them. How could you be so rude? How could you not "read the room" (or the beach)? Who are you people?  

I quietly packed up our site and we paddled away in defeat. I was amazed at how I was thinking about these wonderful folks. I'm sure they could sense my hostility. And isn't it just like God to have a little passage in our series on James pop up for this weekend. Apparently, what we think of others and how we treat others is a big deal to God.

That being said, have you ever had that moment when you tell them how proud you are for learning what you've taught...only to have them give the credit to someone else? Ugh. It happens all the time. Someone models it or says it another way and the lights go on. As a parent, I was disappointed in one sense...but thrilled that my child was understanding and maturing into adulthood regardless.

This is what I hope happens this coming weekend at GracePoint. We have had a busy couple of weeks that have magnified the majesty of God and the beauty of the body of Christ. Ten kids were dedicated this month. Last weekend eight individuals demonstrated their faith and trust in Jesus by expressing it in the waters of baptism.

This coming weekend is our Spiritual Enrichment weekend--a weekend that got lost in the calamity of Helene a year ago...and a weekend that is slammed in the middle of a busy season this year. Having said that, I hope you will consider jumping in to some great opportunities we have this coming Sunday--to deepen your understanding of what your Pastor has been striving to say over these past three years. My prayer has been that "hearing another voice" might help you grab onto the heartbeat of what drives us here at GracePoint.

Apprenticeship is what we are all about. How do you walk with Jesus in a thriving relationship? It's the heart of a disciple...and our vision is all over this and "helping others to do the same".

How do we relate to God--to one another--and to those around us? It's our mission captured in three words--UP--IN--OUT.

Pastor Wilson came to my house a few weeks earlier to talk to me about it. He used some pretty big words that I didn't understand. Words like "salvation" and "atonement" and "propitiation." He said that my baptism was "an outward expression of an inward profession." Hmmmm?  

I knew enough...that sin was not good--that Jesus died in my place and that getting baptized was telling everyone that I was following Jesus. I'm grateful that I wasn't given a theology test--that Jesus allows, even the little ones, to come to Him. 

Baptism is such a beautiful picture of the work that Jesus has done for us. He laid down His life, was buried and He rose from the grave. He overcame death itself. 

The metaphor of water is all throughout the Bible. In baptism, we identify with His death as we go down into the water, we identify with His burial as the waters envelope us, and we identify with His resurrection as we are raised up out of the water. Baptism is a Celebration.

I don't like to feel bad. I'm tired of feeling bad. In fact, I've had serious thoughts about writing a book entitled, "Chasing Comfort". 

Temptation and trials are a part of life but, so are blessings. It's not wrong to desire things to be okay. In fact, the Bible tells us to enjoy blessings as a gift from God. James reminded us of that in vs 17 of the chapter we have been studying in our series on James.

Here's the problem. I often make "blessings" the goal of my Christian faith.

Here's an example, using my body as an illustration–it's a reality that I find more and more pronounced as I age. Stop laughing, I can hear your scoff from here! I. know I may seem lithe and full of the strength of youth, but I played a church league softball game last week and the one time I ran to first base I think I hurt some part of my leg. Oh, and I slept last night, so naturally I've got a crick in my neck. But hey, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? Falling apart a little is okay ...right?

This weekend, we're continuing in the book of James. Will be talking about the way we grow to have complete and perfect faith in God comes from the difficult and hard times in life. How it's actually the best way. That it's such a beautiful and brilliant plan to teach us and let us practice what He's asking us to do. I hope that after this weekend, we will never wish for ease again and embrace the natural entropy of the world and can say with a confident heart, "come what may, God's got me."

I opened my eyes and realized it was all just a dream. When was the last time you saw someone take responsibility for their actions? Sadly, we have to think very hard if we can come up with any example at all. 

"The devil made me do it. It's just who I am. It's not my fault." We all have excuses for our actions. It's part of our fallen world--our sin nature. We blame others. When we're wrong, we double down with authority...as if saying it louder will somehow make it right. 

The Bible tells us that this is the certain path to death. In a world of image consulting, damage control and social media poses--no one wants to look bad. And we wonder why we are so angry, divided, anxious and addicted. The answer is because it doesn't work.  

Instead of humbling ourselves (Hint: a huge theme in the book of James), we simply keep at it, in hopes that someday it may work...I'll feel good, look good and be good. 

The Bible offers another way--a scary way to wholeness. Take responsibility. Deal with your sin. James will take a step further back...to temptation and how to deal with it.

We calculated my Social Security payment at certain ages. We calculated the value of my home and looked at Life Insurance policies. We checked out my retirement accounts and made a calculation of how much to keep investing if I want to retire with a comfortable lifestyle.

We calculated my net-worth. It was all based on stuff--how much money I had in the bank, how much was invested, the value of my assets. And there was a number, my Net Worth.

James challenges the notion that what we HAVE here on earth is of ANY value...let alone our individual value. The book of James speaks the truth that our value we have in our stuff here on earth is really of no value. Our value comes from our self-worth and that comes from the declaration of God that we are His.

I've been told my entire life that when I die, I can't take it with me. James begs to differ. The question for all of us is, "Are we investing in the right accounts?"

At that moment, I cried out to God. I simply said, "God, I'm tired of feeling badly." As I reflected on my day, I realized that I had jammed it full of "stuff" that I felt had to get done. What I didn't allow was space for God. Whether it was to read from His Word, set aside a moment to pray or simply allow space to be quiet. All of that got crowded out. The world and its worry squeezed through the crack in my day and was wreaking havoc on my soul.

This week we begin a new series in the book of James. I love how practical James is on handling things like worry, anxiety and trouble in life. As I worked through my grumpiness, I realized that, though I could not control my feelings, I could control my thoughts and what I allowed to feed my thoughts. Good thinking can help shape feelings and set us on the right path of walking alongside Jesus moment by moment.

I tore out a picture of the Olympic symbol and a flag of Canada...and put it on my dresser in my room. Then I ran. I ran to school. I ran between classes. One time I even took the city bus to the track at our local university and I ran. 

Several weeks later, as I was walking past my dresser with a donut in my mouth I caught a glimpse of the flag and the Olympic symbol. I don't remember what happened to that picture, but I never saw it again. Mercifully, Canada did not compete in the 1980 Summer Olympics allowing me much-needed additional time to prepare for 1984. 

The truth of the matter was that I was inspired. I had a vision of what could be and I started off so well, but life got in the way. Distractions flourished and time went by. I never did live out my Olympic dream. 

Isn't that the way so many of us approach our faith? We sense a need that grows into desire to know the truth and to live it out in our lives. We find a church and we begin to "walk with Jesus." Our intentions are great...but life gets in the way. We never experience the "abundant life" (John 10:10) that Jesus came to give to us. 

Thankfully, God keeps the vision for becoming like Jesus...ever before us. However, we were never meant to accomplish it on our own. It begins with a longing that stirs within us. What follows is a decision to follow Jesus. But we need the Holy Spirit to be our help...AND we need each other to accomplish the vision. 

I reached out to my Youth Pastor. I had never really taken the time to get to know Bob but I liked him. He was kind. He listened to my disappointment. He was willing to walk me through this difficult season of my life.  

Then it hit me! THAT is exactly what I'd love to do with my life--come alongside people who are hurting, lost, confused and seeking direction. Within weeks of my disappointment, I was applying to a bible college in Chicago. My application was sent after the deadline for receiving them. AND YET, they accepted me. It all happened so fast and suddenly I was on my way to Chicago. 

God used all of that...a little disappointment, a friend and a small miracle...to steer me in the direction He had for me.

I'm getting to the age where my financial planner is calling me into his office to let me know that I might not be able to retire when I want to. And the scary thing is, I was going to call and ask if I can borrow against my retirement to get caught up.

Money is powerful. The good news for Christians is that Jesus had a ton to say about money. The bottom line is that it is a "heart" issue. The secret to joy and peace comes by crafting a generous heart. It's not all about money. The Bible said that it's better to give than receive (Acts 20:35), and study after study validates this truth in our culture.

Here's our problem. Most of us would "say" we believe the truth about generosity, but we "live" as if we don't.  

This is not to heap a load of guilt on you. Far from it. Rather, the Bible's teaching and Jesus' example are the true pathways to achieve what we are attempting to get by self-serving accumulation. The Bible never tells us that wealth is wrong or that planning for retirement is bad. In fact, you can find plenty of scripture that speaks of the wisdom of investing.

The problem comes when we put our faith and trust in our wealth. It's a battle, but one worth fighting.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of stuff breaking all the time. My check engine light just came on in my truck. The deck is rotting. My computer keeps breaking. The house needs painting. My outdoor electricity stopped working. The internet went out again (I know, first world problems for sure), and don't get me started on my body.

We all tire of things breaking. If you're like me, I never expect things to break. I'm surprised that I have to pay for stuff because, after all, it wasn't supposed to break. Yet, it is going to break, and...the Bible told us it would. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

This world is not forever. Your stuff is not forever. Yes, even your very body is not forever, and that's good news! If I told you how to have a perfect body, would you want to hear more? This is not a sales gimmick. It's true. Have I piqued your interest?

If I had a safe place to confess (and I hope do here!), I’d admit this: I know that getting plenty of sleep and eating vegetables is one of the best things I can do for myself… but looking at my life? You might not be able to tell. 

As a teaser for our message this Sunday, we’re exploring the very foundation of our faith: what would it mean if the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ never happened?

There are staggering implications to this one question. If it didn’t happen, our faith is empty and our hope is lost. But if it did–and it did! then everything changes.

Here's the problem--I'm really applying none of it. I believe the data is true, but it has no impact on my life. There's a tiny problem with that--if I don't allow these truths to impact my life...I'm going to be in a heap of trouble. 

Do you see where I'm going? Most of us believe in God and we believe in Jesus as someone worthy of following. If we were asked in an interview if we believe the bible to be true, we'd give a rousing head nod and a loud, "yes." But like my belief in the health experts, it has little impact on our lives. 

This week, as we open to chapter 15 of I Corinthians, we'll see how understanding the "Good News" of the bible can be a game-changer for the way you experience life.

When it comes to walking with Jesus one can't skip steps or test out of the process. The bible teaches us that God is sovereign. He has a plan. We are part of His plan. This is what the book of I Corinthians is all about...the blueprint for living out our faith--with a special emphasis on how we do that "together"...in community.

This weekend we tackle a chapter that many skip over or confuse. Yet, a closer look into the direction Paul is giving yields a sweet simplicity and helps us engage with the right tools. We can truly live freely in a stuck world when we take God at His word--when we focus on the practice of His way...not MY way.

That being said, the freedom we experience now is limited. It is limited to our ability to defend our country. It is limited by a healthy economy. It is limited by our physical health. It is limited by our perspective. The list goes on.  

The Bible offers a freedom that is much richer than anything this planet can provide. A few (of many) passages that speak to this:  

"I have come to set the captives free." (Luke 4:18). 

"You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

"If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)

"It is for our freedom that Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1)

So what is this freedom about?

Freedom from the anchor of this world. Our joy, peace and comfort will never be satisfied here. It can only be anchored in the One who can give us what our souls most long for.

Freedom from the pressure of crafting an identity. Your identity is in Christ, not in your work, your body, your money or anything else.

Freedom from worrying about the future. Your future is secure. This life will end. You will be free from an aging body declining in health. You will be forever in the fullness of God's Presence.

Freedom from the enslaving power sin and its consequences. My wife says, "Sin is a bummer!" and she's right. So much of our heartache here on earth is the battle between the spirit and the flesh. Good news! We will be free.

Freedom to be who God made you to be. It all boils down to love. God is love (I John 4:8). We are made in God's image. Our purpose is to be conduits of that love.

And the Bible talks all about it in I Corinthians 13.

As a child, I thought I'd never be done with school. So many classes didn't seem to have anything to do with life. My parents' discipline rarely made sense to me. I mean, what could be wrong with a 14 year old staying out all night?

Fast forward and we all realized the benefit of doing the right things well. From exercise to diet, and from earning to retirement. You may not always understand why you're doing it, but you know the results.

Our study in I Corinthians, Living Free in a Stuck World, is all about doing the right thing well. If you've been walking with us through this study, you'd know that we've talked about division, sexual purity, guidelines for freedom, lawsuits and relational issues. At times, it was a long grind...some things didn't seem to make sense.

Here's the good thing; It all leads to living the abundant life Jesus modeled for us. There is a payoff that is literally out of this world when you lean into your apprenticeship to Jesus. But it's not easy, and at times it doesn't make sense and you may even want to quit.

Once I place my faith and trust in Christ alone, now what? How do I apply it? How do I know if I'm doing life the right way?

Let me give you two thoughts as you fight this good fight:

1. Satan is real.

He doesn't follow any rules. His only goal is to keep you away from Jesus. He knows the rest will take care of itself.

2. God is real.

The invitation, and hence the "practice," is to enter into your relationship with God.

God exists in a perfect community of Three. In a very real sense, we are invited into this perfect community group. It has been said (and it's true) that, "You are who you hang out with." The book of Proverbs is all over that. We are told that Moses' face would shine after he spent time with God (Exodus 34:29-35).

For us, after we spend time with God, our lives should reflect it. We take the time spent in perfect community and pour ourselves into the imperfect community of the world in which we live. We practice loving others the way God loved us by putting the needs of others ahead of our own. 

That is the message of I Corinthians 8-10.

We all long for it--that sense that all is well. The Hebrews had a word for it--Shalom. The way “shalom” is used does not mean to feel calm nor the absence of conflict. Instead shalom, peace, is the result of right relationships with God, one another, and with creation. The concept of peace is wholeness in all of life.

This past week, we have been blessed to have another group of fellow apprentices to Jesus come and help with ongoing hurricane relief. In a very real sense...to bring "shalom" to those still in dire need. 

I asked the Pastor of this group (a close personal friend), Rick Holman, if he'd share the message with us this week(a slight pause from I Corinthians). He's going to unpack the idea of peace and our role in that. I know you'll be encouraged. I hope you can join us in person or online. 

In I Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul compares our walk with Jesus to a race in which we ALL run. There are two ways to run...to WIN...or to NOT LOSE. One is filled with purpose, passion and power--while the other is a race run in fear and tension. One is a race run with focus, discipline and sacrifice. The other is run aimlessly.

The Bible shows us how to walk in such a way that our lives are impactful. You are settled and move with purpose. I know I want to live that way. Paul calls that "running to receive a prize that is imperishable."

When I became a Christian I had a lot of "questions." Why do I need to go to church? How should I dress? Do I have to love people who hurt me? How does forgiveness work? Are there places that I should not go to? Are there people I should or shouldn't hang out with? How do I know the Bible is "the" truth? Why is Jesus the only way?

As I got older the questions got more complex and confusing. This is one of the many reasons that the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the church in Corinth. They had questions. So, how do we live out our faith in the cultural moment in which we live?

Our desire at GracePoint is to be a place where you can find "answers" to those questions. This Sunday is going to be unique. We have assembled a panel of some pretty smart and authentic followers of Jesus. You have sent questions that you have in relationship to our church in our cultural moment.

Together we're going to wrestle with a few of them.

For too many years, I have made my faith about what I'm getting out of it--how my church does things that I like, how I chase the comfort of God's blessings, how I can dazzle with what I know about Scripture.

As I grow, I'm beginning to see that my faith is actually about seeing and serving "others." Church, Scripture, and programs all have their place, but the end game is loving others with the love of Jesus--AGAPE.

This is what the Apostle Paul has been getting at in his letter to Asheville...er...I mean, Corinth--that our motivation should be driven by our apprenticeship to Jesus, manifested in our concern, care and love for OTHERS.

When we live like this, lost people become found, hurting people are healed, broken people are given new hope, the Church is unified and the world takes note.

It's never until we are older that we realize the sacrifice our mom's made for us. I often wondered what motivated her. It took me years, but now I know--IT WAS LOVE. She loved us. Real love sacrifices for another.

The Bible uses the word "AGAPE" to describe the type of love God has for us. Agape is like no other kind of love. It is a love that is "outpouring," others oriented, and selfless. We can't actually love in this way...only God can. So He calls us to be conduits of that love to "one another." In fact, God's love working through us, should be the motivation in all we do.

Life is hard. Jesus said it would be. That's why He gave us Himself. After he ascended into heaven, He gave us His Spirit. We also have the Bible. How fortunate that we have the answer to life's challenges...in our hands and in our hearts.

The result of receiving that is the joyful discovery that "we can do hard." The fruit of applying that is we begin to "bloom where we are planted". We discover how God takes our lives and accomplishes His purpose when we fully put our trust in Him.

There is a huge sense of joy and purpose in all of that. It's easy to see where the "grass is always greener" and to lament our place in life. But, the Apostle Paul urges us to accept our place and begin to see how we can flourish right from there.

And so goes the famous Robert Frost poem. When I think of the current state of our culture and the way of Jesus, those words seem to ring true. One path described in Frost's poem is "well-traveled"... the other "less so."  

The well-worn path results in a story as old as time. Jesus referred to it as the "broad road" that many go down. The Bible is filled with story after story of many who ventured down its way. They never end well.  

The Good... no, GREAT News of the Bible is that as long as it is today, and as long as we have breath, we can go back to the fork in the "yellow wood." By God's mercy and grace, we can choose the path less-traveled. The one Jesus referred to as the "narrow road."

I want to encourage you to take some time to pause, and think about the implications of the Resurrection of Jesus on our lives. Coming back from the dead has never been done before. That alone should give us reason for a pause. If God could do that, it means that everything Jesus taught must be true.  

It means that Jesus really is God. It means that we no longer have to strive to achieve peace and hope by other means. It means that when we follow Jesus, our resurrection is guaranteed. Heaven is real and there is hope for the future.  

It means that our life here has purpose and meaning. It means that the bible is true and the life I live here I can live for Jesus. It means so much more...

Easter is a big deal for followers of Jesus. Arguably, it's much bigger than a prom, but my friend was on to something. Easter is the season we reflect on the resurrection of our Savior. It begins this Sunday with what has been called Palm Sunday--the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey...a celebration to the King.

But something happened--the Jesus that rode into town was not the Jesus they were expecting. They were looking for someone to become like King David and restore the strength and power of Israel. Instead they got a King who would get arrested, tried and killed.

Have you ever been disillusioned with God? When life doesn't go as we think it should, it's easy to begin to wonder if God really is God. Is God really good? Can He be trusted?

This Sunday, we're having guest preacher and good friend of GracePoint back in town with us. Kent Denlinger will be talking about this tension of being both a saint and a sinner–how it’s possible to deeply love Jesus and still mess up more often than you’d like. The good news? God sees more in you than your failures. He’s given you a new heart—and the deepest part of you wants to love well.

Come get reminded of what’s most true, even when it’s hard to believe.

Let's suppose we've all been there... have you ever later wondered, "Was that even worth it?" And what's more, if you fought to win, that person you love (and argued with) must be a loser. Ouch!

Too often, Christians are known more for what we stand against; fighting to "win." With that we leave a trail of losers in our wake. It's not as often that the Church is known for what we do stand for.

This weekend, Bill Brown will be teaching from 1 Corinthians 6 as we continue in our series "Living Free in a Stuck World." In part, he'll be leading us to ponder the question of being radically different—something compelling, hopeful, and attractive. I'm excited because after taking with Bill, I think it'll be a good exercise to explore how the early church captured the attention of their city and culture, not by winning arguments, but through surprising compassion, generosity, and service.

People desire to know the truth until it treads upon their truth (translation: comfort). Our tendency or preference is to "shape truth"... or adjust it to fit the way I am living. So, we create phrases like "your truth" and "my truth."

The Urban Dictionary (a database where a most liked definition becomes "the" definition) defines truth as: “A non-negotiable personal opinion. This is a convenient phrase for avoiding arguments because people can contradict your opinion, but not your truth.”

In essence, if everyone's truth is the truth, then nothing is true. The truth is (I know I'm overusing the word here) that there can only be "a" truth. I don't jump off of a 200 ft cliff because the "truth is" I will likely die. We must discover THE truth (as opposed to fashioning our own truth) and align our life to it.

Why am I saying all of this? Because the Bible is truth.

If the Bible is our foundation of truth, then it is imperative to align our lives to ALL of it...not just parts of it. This week, in our series on I Corinthians, Paul lays out some "hard truth."

Conversely, the teams that did well...all had one other thing in common (and you can see where I'm going)...they played together. Each person had a position--it may be goalie, defense or right wing. But when they played their position it was a sight to behold. They may not have been the best players in the league, but because they worked together they did well. 

I know we get that (working together)...but, if we're honest, it's a struggle to practice it in our lives. This Sunday, we'll take a look at I Corinthians chapters 3 and 4 and learn from Paul the how and the value of unity in the body.

"Can I show you something?"

"Dad, look at me!"

I still remember the first time I rode my bike on only two wheels. I ran inside and made my parents come out and watch me. The first time I swam without sinking...I begged my parents to watch me. Oh how my parents must've been exhausted each time one of their kids pleaded to be seen, approved, and loved.

I still long to be seen and to be affirmed. We all want to know that we are "getting better" at something or mastering a skill. Whatever it is, every person needs an "Atta boy!" or "Atta girl!" from time to time--to know that we're on the right track.

Do you ever wonder how you're doing spiritually--when it comes to following God? Do you ever wonder if you're maturing in your faith? Is there a report card? Though, we cannot "earn" anything with God--He has freely given us His love, grace and mercy--we can get a sense of whether or not we are maturing in our relationship with Him.

I'll never forget a day in second grade when I talked my friend Steven into pretending to speak a different language with me. For an entire recess we just talked gibberish to one another and acted like we were having a completely normal and coherent conversation. It felt cool. We had something our classmates didn't have. For one recess I felt like I was noticed--like I was "the guy"--for a moment. I completely ignored the fact the people were looking at me like I just cracked my head on the pavement. 

We all long to be loved and to have substance to our life. When I came to know Jesus, I hoped that following Jesus would be "the thing" that catapulted me to the "in" crowd. I think some of His early followers thought the same thing. So you can see just how disappointing it would have been to them when Jesus died.

And then...Paul writes to the church in Corinth and basically says, "Hey...there IS a secret wisdom from God...available to us as His children." Okay, that sounds intriguing. But it's what Paul says, right there in 1 Corinthians chapter 2. Come join us as we continue to unpack Paul's letter in our series, "Living Free In A Stuck World."

As I think about my relationship to God I sometimes wonder if I grasp just how valuable it is? There is nothing that we could possibly think of that comes close to the value of being adopted into God's family. 

Now that we know Jesus, He tells His followers (us) to not keep it a secret.  

Over the years, the Church has grappled with tips and techniques of how to share your faith. I still remember sweating like crazy with the pressure of telling someone about Jesus. I still feel guilty when I don't tell my trapped seatmate on a plane about Jesus. 

As I have grown in my walk with God, I'm learning that it was never supposed to be a "pressure" to "win" your lost friends over to Jesus.  

The beauty of apprenticeship is that you fall in love with Jesus. When you love something or someone, you can't help but tell someone else. There is great freedom in that.

Join us as we learn how to tell the story of Jesus the way the author of I Corinthians teaches us.

The result of a divided church is a "stuck" church--a church that cannot serve the purposes of God with any lasting impact. Yet, in Jesus' own words, His purpose in coming to earth was to "set the captive free" (Luke 4:18) How do you live free in a stuck world?

I'm so thankful that the Bible gives us the answer to overcoming our division. A unified church is an alive church...a light in a community...a hospital for the sick. A unified church is powerful as it moves together to accomplish God's kingdom work. A unified church is an exciting place to be. The joy of Jesus is expressed in the countenance of its worshipers and God is glorified. 

I hope you'll join us as we begin our new series in the book of I Corinthians--Living Free in a Stuck World.

We're a little like a fire; together we burn bright, and alone, we smolder. These past few weeks, we've been learning about the practice of prayer. GracePoint is thriving–expanding, thriving, and growing. As we grow, I can't help but think how God wants us to grow together. I can't wait to begin (continue?) the conversation of what the Bible says about practicing having community with others and why it matters.

We've spent the last few weeks focusing on the practice of PRAYER. I hope you are coming to see that prayer is a powerful discipline when it comes to walking with Jesus. It was Jesus' go-to all throughout His ministry. He could do nothing without His Father, and He modeled that to His disciples.

First, they learned to recite what Jesus taught about prayer. Like a little child learning to see mommy or daddy, they were taught to come to God the same way. What they learned has become known as, the Lord's Prayer. (Luke 11)

Later, as they progressed in their growth, they longed for more. Jesus taught them about gratitude and lament and petition--to bring all that is in you to God. Again, like a child who eventually longs for a deeper connection to people than just one-word conversations, we too long for more of God and a deeper relationship. 

This Sunday we'll explore the Biblical idea of being WITH God in prayer.

Mother Teresa was once famously asked, "When you pray to God, what do you say to God?" She answered, "I don't say anything; I listen." 

Most of us come to God and find that we do all of the talking, but have you ever stopped to consider that a part of our prayer is "listening?" This Sunday come and explore with us how we listen to God.

Do my prayers make a difference? If God doesn't answer my prayer in the way I desire, what went wrong? Does He even hear when I pray for the fires to subside in California, or for my friend's cancer to be healed, or for there to be peace in the Middle East? I am, after all, praying for good things.

The Bible tells me that God is in control and that His purposes will prevail. "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it's God's purposes that prevail." (Proverbs 19:21)

The Bible also tells me that I can pray for anything in Jesus name and God will answer it. "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." (John 14:13)

So, what's the deal? I think it has to do with the fact that there is "so much more" that God has for us to experience when we engage with Him in prayer. That's what we'll be talking about this Sunday.

Do you pray? What motivates you to pray? Most of us pray when some sort of trouble comes into our lives. We rightly ask God to help us in those moments.

Do you ever ask yourself, "Why pray?" Does God really answer prayer? Why does it feel like my prayers just hit the ceiling? If God already knows what He's going to do, why pray?

The good news is that God's Word provides answers for us along with some great ways to add prayer to your Practice of the Way.  

I know the weather is looking somewhat ominous but I'll hope you'll consider joining us this Sunday in person or online to delve deeper into "Talking WITH God."

I'd like to suggest it's because of what we are investing in. You become what you feed yourself. I don't need to remind any of you of that. But, why is it so hard? I'd like to offer another suggestion--maybe because we want it now or we're looking for a formula or we want to control the outcomes. 

Last suggestion, I wonder if we need to focus again on the idea of "practicing" -- Practicing the Way of Jesus. What a great time to revisit some of the disciplines we looked at last year at this time. What a way to start the New Year with a focus on reinvigorating our walk with Jesus.

I hope you'll join us as we explore more of what it means to walk "with" Jesus.

This Sunday, we’ll take a step back in time to explore Christmas from a passage many wouldn't consider part of the Christmas story... I won't tell you which exact one yet, but I hope you begin thinking about what Old Testament passage we'll be discussing. I do hope you'll join us as we discover how God’s story of salvation has always been woven into the fabric of history, into our lives today, and forever into the future.

The wonder of Christmas is upon us. The calendar date is not the "actual birth date" of Christmas, but it's the idea of creating a "space" to pause and celebrate what our faith, as Christians, is all about--the birth of Jesus. Which is Great News.

But, there is even greater news. Though the birth of Jesus is at the core of our faith...it's only one part. Here's a strange thought--the birth of Jesus wasn't the beginning of Jesus. One of the amazing facts about Jesus is that He has "always" been here. Jesus was with God in the very beginning. Sound strange? There is nothing like Jesus. There is no book like the bible. It stands alone in it's uniqueness, it's truth, it's hope and it's power. 

Join us to learn what this is all about!

BUT...then the lights came back on. Most of us had a new appreciation for being able to "see where we are going"...and not a few of us bought generators. Why? Because being able to see where you are going is important. It's important in life and it's important in Church.  

Vision is a good thing. Perhaps you have never thought of the "vision" that GracePoint has...our painting of the preferred future--if we were a "successful" church, what would we look like?  

You can find our vision on our website. It simply states that we are in the disciple-making business. Our vision is to see people grow to be like Jesus and to help others do the same.

The same thing was happening when God spoke through His prophet Malachi. His people were forgetting what was important. They began to build a camp out of the created things rather than build a relationship with the Creator Himself and look to the eternal things. 

But God has a plan for us to experience deep meaningful lives filled with peace and a hope for the future. 

God tends to use "people" to accomplish His purpose. So, it's critical for His people to stay close to Him if we hope to max out our impact as we go about the work He gave for us to do. Malachi brings out the idea (truth) that God's vehicle for His message to be passed on, was the family. 

It's no surprise that our enemy, Satan seeks to go after breaking down the family. And it begins with marriage. Malachi says, "God made man and woman one in marriage. We are His in body and Spirit. And what does He want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth."

This weekend, we come to our final book of the Minor Prophets series. Malachi reflects on the fading relationship that God's people have with Him. It has been close to a hundred years since Haggai and Zechariah led Israel back to a thriving relationship to God. Now, the intimacy has cooled...to the point that they are drifting back...back to seeing God as a religion...someone to appease rather than love. 

Malachi's message will be a shot in the arm to remind God's people to keep the fire hot and to stay close to God. His way of "how" to do that, may come as a surprise to some of you.

When I think of longer spans and how it works also with matters of faith, I have similar conniptions. How is it possible that an Old Testament prophecy still be relevant today? How can that have meaning to the disciples 2,000 years ago? How is it that what we believe about Jesus matters still and will matter... forever?

This weekend, we'll explore this idea. I'll be preaching from Zechariah about how the God who was worshiped then is the same God we worship today. His promises were made good, and He's still making good on them; His character is as loving as it was, as forgiving as it was, and as jealous as it was. The prophet's messages are as pertinent as they've always been. Will we have eyes to see and ears to hear? Read up, and let's dive in together.

God uses adversity to shine a spotlight on our heart...encouraging us where we are walking "with" Him and revealing those areas of our lives where we are holding on to "control" and not trusting Him.  

Zechariah comes at a good time as we ponder the events of recent days. Haggai was all about the HOUSE of God and ensuring that God remains front and center in our lives. Zechariah is all about your HEART for God and ensuring that you see the "larger story"...the story beyond the hurricane...the real work that God is doing.

The problem wasn't that I got a much needed car. The problem was that I bought a car that looked nicer than I needed it to look, and cost a little more . . . no, a lot more than I should've paid. Now I had a car payment and repairs. Suffice it to say, I learned my lesson about trying to keep up with the Joneses.

The trouble with keeping up with the Joneses is that you never can. Who are the Joneses anyway? It's our tendency to covet. That's part of our sin nature. Hence, we need to practice the way of Jesus in being content and making wise choices with the resources that He has entrusted to us. 

Join us in person or online this Sunday as we look at what true Financial Freedom looks like and wrap up our study in the book of Haggai.

As a result we have so little left to give to anything else. The important things are left in the dust. We find ourselves rushing through life, attending to the necessary, the immediate, and the urgent.  

Our battle is not the busyness and volume of demands...it comes down to values. What is truly important to us? We cannot hide what we value the most because it is reflected in how we use our resources--time, money, talent and touch. I may say God is number one, but hang out with me for a day. Look at my calendar or my bank account and you'll soon see that I struggle keeping God at the top of it all. 

Haggai was a prophet who called the people of God back to the value of placing God first in every area of our lives. How are you doing with that? Struggling? Come struggle together with us as we delve into these two small chapters.

Everyone one of the minor prophets we have studied have shared echoes of the same message--God gave us a path--the people chose to go a different way. God fought to bring them back...grounded in a deep love for His children.

God is the same today as He was back then. The same love drives Him to draw us back into intimacy with Him. His goal, that summarizes most of your bible, is that He is willing to do whatever it takes to bring you back. Many times it comes in the form of adversity. 

If we can learn to trust God and lean into a trial with prayer, patience and perseverance...an intimacy with God awaits on the other side that nothing on Earth can compare to. 

Join us as we open the 9th Minor Prophet--Zephaniah.

However, if you and I had an "honest" moment, there are times when that seems all too convenient...like "wishful thinking." Doubt starts to creep in and if God doesn't come through in a reasonable amount of time, I begin to get a little upset. If we were to be even a little more honest, our anger makes us want to complain to God. BUT...that doesn't seem right or respectful to God. As a result, so many of us "bottle up our pain"...until we explode in anger and walk away from our faith. Can you relate to that?

The good news is that "complaining to God" is all over the bible. I wouldn't make a habit of it, but what I want you to understand is that GOD CAN TAKE IT. We see it all throughout the Psalms and we see it in the book of Habakkuk. 

I hope you can join us as we look into how to "effectively complain to God." 

After what seemed like an eternity...I inched close enough to the end of the board that I lost my balance and fell screaming into the pool. As I went under and resolved to accept my destiny, I'm sure my little mind was thinking, "This is it." Just then (as I'm sure you know), the strong arms of my dad lifted me to the surface. My fear was gone. Replaced by a shot of adrenaline that made me race up to the board and do it again and again and again... 

I think faith is like that. Though our challenges may seem much larger, the loving arms of our father are always there to catch us when we jump into places that we know are good, but are a little scary. 

Join us as we open the book of Habakkuk and learn more about the kind of faith that drives us forward as followers of Jesus.

Fast forward to the present day and I've learned that very few things in life are actually "fair." Spiritually, I've learned to be thankful that God is NOT fair. If He was fair, there is a very good chance that that fairness would land me apart from His Presence in the end. 

I am thankful that God is just. He rights wrongs. He reconciles all things to Himself. As apprentices of Jesus, we get to share in that work of restoring all things. 

Here's the problem:  God often works on a different time frame than you and me. When I see something that is wrong, I want it fixed now. Unless, I'm in the wrong...then I want a lot of grace. But, God is a patient God. In His mercy, He waits for us to see the error of our way and turn back to Him...before He needs to step in. 

For those of us crying out to God and seeking His justice, come join us as we open the book of Nahum and continue our deep dive into the Minor Prophets.

Micah could've been written last week. In a very real sense, we have drifted from God. We have been blessed with so much in America. It has led many of us to forget about God...or at best, give a cursory nod to Him (with the wink and hope to keep the blessings flowing).

Micah could've been written last week. In a very real sense, we have drifted from God. We have been blessed with so much in America. It has led many of us to forget about God...or at best, give a cursory nod to Him (with the wink and hope to keep the blessings flowing).

Join us to learn about how we can experience all that God intended for us as we walk through life.

What you don't see on the outside is happening on the inside. A tree has a root base that has been rotting. That root is the life of the tree and hence the tree itself is rotting. Left unchecked, the tree eventually falls to the ground. 

We live in a world that is all about "looking good on the outside." Yet, the message of Jesus, and all of the Bible, is that God works from the inside. When our inside is healthy, we are told that glorious fruit is the result. There is a peace about us. We have a genuine love for others. Our hope is not focused on this world. We enjoy blessings, but endure hardship, trusting that God is working in us as we persevere. The list goes on.

Suffice it to say, a life...a soul uncared for, is a soul that is rotting. It's only a matter of time before the impact becomes devastating in our lives. Join us this Sunday as we unpack the message from the Minor Prophet, Micah, and learn how to care for our souls that leads to living a life of impact.

Thus far, our study of the Minor Prophets has revealed God’s involvement in culture throughout history. Our current cultural moment seems just as difficult and corrupt as the generations of the

prophets.

How do we apply what God has said through His prophets and His Word about how we are to follow Him? Looking at the teachings of God’s greatest intrusion into our culture (the Person of Jesus) God’s purpose, plans, and promises have not changed.

Perhaps by now, like me, you have learned that this book is about so much more. In fact, it's really not about a "whale" at all. The prophecy of God through His prophet Jonah is, once again, an object lesson of what happens when we walk away from the clear direction that God has given to us. 

For those of us who have placed our faith and trust in Jesus, the Bible has given us a very clear path on HOW to walk with God through His Spirit. So often, we want God to answer the WHAT and WHERE. This is where so many of us get bogged down. I hope you'll join us as we dive in the depths (pun intended) of Jonah and look at the answer to God's direction in our lives.

Many of us long for God to come and put an end to those people--to stop the evil. It's difficult to think of praying for those people or even sharing the hope of Christ with them. But that is exactly what God did with our next prophet, Jonah. God's mercy can reach the one who is farthest from God...it can provide forgiveness and hope to the worst among us.   

Join us as we begin exploring God's message through Jonah.

I’ll never forget the season when kids became adults and flew from the nest…when debts began to be paid and life seemed less of a financial strain. I was stunned as I began to see my bank account move in the right direction. It became a game (more of an obsession)—to stay out of debt and amass MORE! Suddenly, I was thinking about retirement and travelling the world and taking it easy.  

Then it hit me.

As an apprentice of Jesus, who has been entrusted with much, I am blessed to be a blessing. The Bible saves us the pain of figuring this out for us—that amassing MORE will never fill the deepest need of contentment in our soul. It’s actually the opposite—by practicing generosity (remember “Practices of the Way?) you begin to experience the joy of being the hands and feet of Jesus. There is no vacation big enough to compare to the joy of loving the way Jesus teaches us. 

Join us as we wrap up our study of God’s message through his prophet-Obadiah.

Hopefully you are not one that is saying we’re doing all right and we got this. What feeling do you have? Everything feel ok to you in our country and communities?

We don’t live by feelings, but God does give us intuitiveness and insight from His Word.

We do have a big problem in our country and it is called sin. There is no political or economical solution for the Spiritual problem we have. People in the Americanized church are being tricked by the father of lies, and leaders that have become complacent and turning away from the Truth.

As we continue to dive into the book of Amos, may we do as he said, "Seek God and live!"

Before you decide to fire this pastor, know that I battle right alongside you. The late French Bishop, Francois Fenelon declared that our greatest battle is our "addiction to self."  We are hard-wired for self preservation.  

Some of you have heard me jest about my two values in life:

If you're going to be wrong, be wrong with authority

Why take responsibility when you can blame somebody else?

What I have said as humor has sadly become the values for so many of us. So when life throws us a curve...as it inevitably does, so few of us are prepared to navigate the adversity. We want God to swoop in and take care of all that is causing us grief. When God doesn't seem to do that, at least in our way and in our timing, we tend to get a bit grumpy at best, or at worst we reject God all together. 

Well, there's great news--the Bible helps us in the midst of this.

You know what I'm talking about--those days when nothing seems to go right? Or even seasons where everything seems to fall apart?

So often we resort to panic, quick fixes or avoidance. Did you know that the Bible gives us a great path to follow when we are stuck in a dark place?

There is hope amidst seemingly hopeless times. One place we can find this hope is in the book of Joel.

This is how the book of Joel begins. God's people are enjoying a time of prosperity and economic abundance when--DISASTER! The story opens with an unprecedented locust invasion that devastates everything. 

Have you ever had something like that happen in your life? In a moment your world is turned upside down and you find yourself crying out to God. What is He up to in times like this? What has gone wrong? What do we do?

Because we can't see from God's vantage point, we simply think that there must be something more. There must be something God is holding back from us, and just like Adam and Eve, we eat the fruit...or put it in modern terms--we go our own way. We disregard the message of the bible--the track it gives us to move through life with a sense of wonder, joy and hope.  

The beauty of the way God has designed the world and your life is that there are "warning lights" that go off when you walk away from God. It may come in the form of a heavy conscience convicted about what you are doing. It may come in the form of adversity from difficult choices you have made. It may even come in the form of someone else's bad decisions that affect you. Either way, it all points to a pathway back to God where once again, you will see that you have all that you need.

It's about a groom who marries a prostitute. I know what you're thinking. But...this story shows the depths to which God goes to in order to show us His love for us and the pain of our rejection to Him. This is a story about brokenness and redemption. It's about hope against all odds.

The wild twist in this ancient book is that it is there for you and I. In a very real sense the book of Hosea is "our love story." I hope you'll join us this Sunday to open up it's pages and revel in it's wondrous truth.

Each of those being baptized represents a person who changed the trajectory of their story. A new chapter has begun as they go public with their faith. It's a story that has changed them, according to the Bible, from old to new--from death to life--from lost to found--from blind to seeing.

It's a story of a heart that has come home and that story is not meant to be celebrated alone. It's meant to be told. It's meant to be remembered. Baptism is a declaration...a celebration...a welcoming party--a symbol of faith...of new life...of victory--because we have a God who changed the story. Join us in the celebration!

Peter talked about this in his message to the Church in 2 Peter 3:9. From Genesis to Revelation God’s message (really an invitation) is to “come and follow me.” When we walk away from Him the Bible urges us to return.

That essentially is the message of the Minor Prophets and God uses incredible ways to get that message across. God told Isaiah to walk around naked for three years. He has Ezekiel lie on his side for 390 days…all to create a living illustration of His love for His creation. If that doesn’t peek your curiosity about our new series, I’m not sure what will.

God has Hosea do something that seems strange and even tragic…but the purpose is to show the reader the lengths God will go to in order to redeem His people.

To know these prophets and their message, one must understand the context into which they speak, their place within the history of Israel and Judah, and their place within the revelation of God’s Word.

The truth of their message, while cast within an ancient context, is relevant for today. It informs the people of God with a knowledge of the character and ways of God, challenges the church with a call to a higher social ethic, and comforts the people of God with a message of hope and restoration.

In other words, these Minor Prophets carry Major Truth.

Of course you have.

Back in our school days, we often referred to this phenomenon as not being in the “in-crowd”. But this feeling of being on the outside is not something we outgrow. Whether acknowledged or not, this reality is ongoing, whether a whisper in our souls or an acute pain because of a recent experience. And we feel it with good reason. We are…on the outside that is.

The Bible describes it with words like exiles or strangers or foreigners. What then are we to do with this common experience felt more often than we would like? A great deal of our energy goes toward trying to anesthetize it. Is there another path, one that can allow us to not deny the ache but rather see it as an opportunity to draw closer to God while working for His kingdom here?

However, right after that they are charged to "baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." Baptism is a symbolic picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

When a Christian is immersed in the water, this person is identifying with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. They are also making a public declaration of faith in Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

Jesus commanded His followers to be baptized. If you are new to faith in Christ, or have never been baptized, we would love to come alongside you as you take this important step in your spiritual journey!

Join us this Sunday as we talk about “Baptism”.

We rejoice in Jesus’ power over death and the hope of all things made new. I hope you can join us as we celebrate together!

One of the things that Jesus is famous for is turning our vision of the “good life” on its head. He said things like, "The last will be first and the first will be last. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. If you do not forgive others their sins, your heavenly father will not forgive your sins."

But nowhere is this upside down reality of the “good life” more self-evident than in Jesus’s teaching about MONEY.

Come join us as we explore how the practice of Generosity is a game-changer when it comes to our impact and contentment in life.

We'll explore these questions and more as we look at the Practice of Witness!

Retreat from people and distractions to be with God, in order to return to community in love and service.

I have no doubt that most of us crave a little time in the quiet places. Come join us Sunday as we continue exploring the Practices of Jesus.

Fasting is one of the most essential and powerful of all the practices of Jesus and, arguably, the single most neglected one in the modern, Western church. Fasting was a core practice of Jesus and the early church. As apprentices, this practice brings our whole self into intimacy with Jesus.

Come look with us at what the Word says about it all.

Of late, we have unpacked the things that Jesus did like pray, spend time alone and practice the sabbath. In sabbath we stop--rest--delight. It is a good day. The best day of the week. But there is one more critical part of a sabbath day. It's a day of WORSHIP.

As you continue to dive into this practice you will begin to experience God's presence and purpose come to life in your soul. I hope you'll join us as we learn about "Worship in the Sabbath".

Whoa! Who doesn’t desire that? As you look around your world, do you notice how tired, fearful angry people tend to be? The Bible teaches us that life was never meant to be this way. The practice of sabbath brings back the joy of delight in a God who is the source of our joy. 

I hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we enjoy rich fellowship and get a taste of the delight that God has for us when we stop and rest.

Theologians would tell us that getting in touch with those longings is the beginning of the spiritual journey...because, at the core, what we most long for can only be satisfied in Jesus.

In our era of chronic exhaustion, emotional unhealth and spiritual stagnation, few things are more necessary than the recovery of this ancient practice. We hope you'll join us as we explore the treasure we have in Sabbath!

Your conversations with God are the most authentic measure of your relationship with Him. Those conversations are what we commonly call prayer. But prayer is anything but common.

Join us as we dive into the Practice of Prayer.

Trust him, and he will help you."

- Psalm 37:5

God invites us to trust Him not with part of our life, but with EVERYTHING. How does that statement resonate with you? Does it evoke fear and uncertainty or does that invitation draw you in toward God and give you a sense of peace? This week, we will unpack the invitation to Trust God with our EVERYTHING. Join us this Sunday as we dive into Solitude as we move into the Practices of the Way.

As we live this way, we are transformed from the inside out. We believe this kind of deep, authentic, and radical change of character is possible even in the chaos of the modern, digital, urban world.

Through teaching, practice, community, and the Holy Spirit, we can recover our humanity in discipleship to Jesus.

Join us as we unpack and explore the Practices of the Way.

Imagine living among sheep day in and out. Sleeping on the dusty ground at night. Never showering. Chasing after wandering sheep. Being a shepherd was one of the lowest jobs in the ancient world. It was smelly. It was tiring, and there wasn’t a lot of socialization involved.

Being a shepherd was hard work because you had to care for your flock of animals, know their individual needs, and lead them to places of pasture, every day. Being a good shepherd was difficult and dangerous work.  

The Bible calls Jesus the "Good Shepherd." Join us as we "unwrap" the gift of Jesus, as our Good Shepherd and discover what that means for us today.

This week we begin our in depth look at the "how" of transformation. Through teaching we get a vision of the good life. Through practice, we align our loves and longings with those of Jesus.

As we practice the way of Jesus…we begin to understand His teaching, we cultivate healthy habits and engage in godly community. We begin to look more and more like Jesus. Then doing what He did becomes a fruit of our intimacy with Him.

However, like Timothy…it’s not easy. We labor and strive in a battle that the Apostle Paul called the “good fight.”

"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers."

-1 Timothy 4:7b-10

-Benjamin Franklin

"Aim at nothing and you'll hit it every time."

-Zig Ziglar

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

-Wayne Gretzky

There is a lot of wisdom throughout history. I would argue that Jesus said it first when he invited us to "Come and follow Him!" He was inviting us to more than we could ever dream or imagine. He promised that He would reconcile us to Himself, and conform us to His image (Colossians 1:19-20 & Romans 8:29).

There is a "to do" for us as followers of the Way. Jesus exhorted us to "practice these things" over and over in the gospels. Those "things," for the most part, were being LIKE Him. In other words, we need to be intentional about our Spiritual Formation. No one has the option to do nothing because we are all being formed into something.

Come hear more about "Intentional Spiritual Formation," and the potential it has to usher in the peace that Jesus offered in John 14:27. A peace that I believe we ALL long for. 

If you're like me, you're tired of seeking the kind of change that gives you a sense that you are on track with following Jesus. You feel stuck.

Good news...the promise of the New Testament is nothing short of full-on transformation, but so many of us feel a disconnect between that promise and our reality. Again, so many of us have simply resolved that it must not be possible this side of heaven.

But, according to the bible, it is. Total transformation is possible for each of us who have made the decision to apprentice with Jesus. But, it's likely not what you may be thinking.

If you’re like most Americans…and me, we want things that will benefit us, but we don’t want to do the work to get there. When we hear about what Christ offers His followers we’re all quick to respond with a hearty “yes”. But we desire the benefits without the commitment. 

If you want the life of Jesus, then you MUST adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.

A few weeks ago, we laid the foundation for how we might discern God's leading. We believe that the Spirit is leading us to spend a season focusing on "Practicing the Way of Jesus".

The great thing is that EVERYONE is invited to be an apprentice of Jesus. It's not just for the elite, the special or the smart. ALL are invited to be a part of what God is already doing in Western North Carolina. I hope you'll join us this weekend as we continue to explore it all.

Last week we began a new series that focuses on “Practicing the Way” (of Jesus). Over the coming weeks we’ll be looking at what it means to BE WITH JESUS…BE LIKE JESUS and DO WHAT JESUS DID. 

In between, we’ll take some time to talk about “what that looks like.” This Sunday Bill Brown will be teaching on what it looks like to Practice the Way as we go about our day to day lives. He’ll be sharing some great stories that will be an example and inspiration to us as we strive to be like Jesus. 

The Bible is full of examples and stories of people worshiping. The world is also full of examples. So what is worship? What does it look like? Where do we worship? And how do we do it?

These are the questions we'll explore together as we continue Practicing the Way of Jesus through worship!