Writing your college application essay. Interviewing for your dream job. Planning your first date with the person you’ve prayed about for years.

Preparing for all of these can be anxiety-inducing. You desperately want to get it right because you desperately want to be accepted. Acceptance is the end goal.

But what if you started at the end? What if you lived like you’d already been accepted? How different would you be and how different would you act if instead of working for acceptance, you worked like you already were accepted?

As we continue our series journeying through Psalm 23, the psalmist – and Jesus! – invites us into a different way of life that begins from a different starting point. A way of life that starts from the place most people see as the finish line.

Assembling an epic LEGO set can feel like a daunting task. But all the pieces you need are present. Any special component or tool needed to complete the build is provided. And the voice of the creator, both in pictures and words, is spoken through the instructions. All you have to do is trust that you are equipped and capable.

We’re kicking off the new year with a new series, Never Alone, where we’re working verse-by-verse through Psalm 23. The first message of this series reminds us that God not only gives us the provisions we need, but the promise of his presence as we journey through the celebrations and tribulations of this life.

You thought you just walked into her office to ask if she needed help going over the report. But to her, you were the lifeline she needed to get her head above water.

You though you just said, “Thank you,” for your intricate coffee order. But to him, your words made his dedication to his craft feel seen and appreciated.

You thought you just commented on their school project. But your child felt validated by how proud you are of them.

In the final message of our series Unshakable the Apostle Paul shows us how our words and actions carry more weight than we realize.

Life rarely goes as planned, and it’s easy to slip into comparison or frustration when things feel out of our control. In Philippians 4, Paul reveals the secret to a steady, content heart—one that isn’t shaken by circumstances but strengthened by Jesus. 

This message explores how choosing to walk with Him in the “everyday moments”—like staying patient with a child’s meltdown or responding with grace when a coworker takes credit—can transform your inner world. If you’re longing for peace and strength that hold up in real life, Paul has the path.

When you go on vacation, you’re intentional about what you pack in your suitcase.

When people want to slim down or bulk up, they’re intentional about what they put into their bodies.

When we want to relax, or focus, or put our brains on auto-pilot, we intentionally choose content to help us achieve our mental goal.

This week in our series Unshakable, the Apostle Paul teaches us how to curate our thoughts so Jesus can form our inner voices in his image.

You can’t wish your way into becoming the World Series MVP. You can’t play doomsday scenarios in your head over and over and hope it results in immeasurable wealth. You can’t wait your way into your dream job.

All of these require a plan and putting that plan into action.

Achieving a life of unshakable peace requires the same thing. And worry is not a part of that plan.

This week, our series Unshakable takes us to the Apostle Paul’s wisdom for how to live the life of peace you’ve always wanted.

Minimalism isn’t a fringe movement. Brand names reduced to consonants, simple logos, and simple packaging has become the norm for businesses. A limited menu – if there’s a menu at all – has become synonymous with fine dining. And instead of countless pictures on the wall, we choose one painting to allow the piece space to speak.

Minimalism has taught us that the best way to make a statement is by dialing back.

In this week’s message, the Apostle Paul, along with the sages who penned the Proverbs, teaches us that screaming tends to make people deaf to our message, while a gentle, controlled temperament has the power to pierce the noise of a chaotic soul.

We get annoyed when someone puts us on hold when we need assistance. We get perturbed when someone jumps in front of us because their friend is holding their place in line. And we get worried when we discover our romantic interest is still holding onto something from their ex.

But perhaps the worst thing that can ever be held onto is a grudge. Whether we’re holding it against someone or someone is holding it against us.

This week in our series Unshakable, the Apostle Paul pleads with two disciples – and us – to put in the work to resolve our problems and reconcile our relationships, handing us the tools to do so when we’re ready.

Many people learn to play piano or guitar by obsessively learning the songs of their favorite artist. It’s not unusual for their first musical projects to be cover or tribute bands that play the tunes of their favorite artist. When they day comes that they begin to write their own music, it’s normal for them to sound a lot like their favorite artist.

As we jump back into our series Unshakable, the Apostle Paul urges us to take the same approach with our discipleship – to pattern our discipleship after that of a disciple whose walk with Jesus we admire.

Trees produce fruit in season. As much as we may want them to always be creating beautiful, delicious fruit, it would be ridiculous to expect them not to go through times when they don’t. 

But when humans experience seasons when our faith feels dormant, we wonder if it’s actually dead. But what if we could learn to navigate these times believing God just may be using these seasons to strengthen and solidify our faith?

This week, our friend Jeff Lucas walks us through the call of Gideon to help us be aware of struggles these seasons often bring with them and how we can learn to trust that God is up to something even in them.