Christians are commanded to “rejoice always.” But can we really be commanded to rejoice? Isn’t joy something that depends on circumstances outside our control? The command to rejoice always isn't a command to deny the painful realities of our lives, but to anchor our souls in the transcendent reality of our faith.
Read MoreWe often associate Christmas with peace. But the peace that Jesus offers us is very different from the sentimental peace we all long for at this time of year. In order to experience the peace of Christ, Jesus must first confront the things in us that hinder our connection to Him. While that confrontation can be disruptive and painful, it can set us free and allow us to experience a deep and lasting peace.
Read MoreThe writers of the New Testament frequently mention hope as one of the key mindsets of the Christian life. But in a world as broken as ours, what is there to be hopeful about? Todd explores the critical role hope plays in anchoring and strengthening our faith in the midst of hardship and suffering.
Read MoreWhen it’s all said and done, what do we want to have said about our lives? On Sunday, guest speaker Phil Cartmail shared about the importance of embracing humility and learning to love well.
Read MoreThe ultimate goal of solitude is encountering God. Sometimes that happens easily. But sometimes our encounter looks more like a wrestling match, where we bring to Him the questions, doubts, and painful disappointments with Him that hide in the shadows of our hearts. But the story of Jacob shows us that if we are willing to wrestle through these painful places, we will discover a renewed trust and a deeper intimacy with God than ever before.
Read MoreSolitude can be a place of spiritual warfare. Whether it’s subtle lies or intimidating attacks, the enemy will do anything to put us off spending time alone with God. Understanding the form those attacks take and knowing how to deal with them is vital if we’re going to embrace the practice of solitude.
Read MoreMost of us are reluctant to practice solitude because deep down, we know that when we enter solitude all of the broken, wounded places inside us will come to the surface. And while it’s true that solitude often involves a confrontation with the most painful places in our lives — these are the very places God is most wanting to heal.
Read MoreThe beauty of God’s grace is that it has freed us from relating to God as a distant rule-giver; instead, it allows us to come to Him as our father. Barry Manson shows how grace transforms the Christian life from duty to delight.
Read MoreTodd kicks off a new series on the practice of solitude. But even though solitude is one of the key practices of the Christian life, many of us are reluctant to embrace it for ourselves. Todd looked at some of the reasons for this and explained some practical ways to begin to incorporate solitude into our lives.
Read MoreBecoming like Jesus can seem like an impossible goal. So how does the impossible become possible? We participate in our transformation through the practice of spiritual disciplines, which create space for God to work in our hearts and train us to be like Jesus.
Read MoreWhat does it look like when Jesus transforms lives? This week, we had an interview with Barry & Linda Manson — who encountered Jesus as young hippies and have seen Him intervene in their lives in extraordinary ways: from physical healing to supernatural provision, to learning how to truly rest in the grace of God. Their fascinating story demonstrates God’s faithfulness over four decades of ministry.
Read MoreIn order to overcome the unique challenges that the church faces in our modern age, we must steadfastly practice three "one another’s" that have formed the backbone of church life for 2,000 years. This morning, Todd concludes our church vision series.
Read More
