11/22/20 | It’s one thing to say what you’re thankful for; it’s another to answer why you’re thankful for it. Reading from Psalm 100, Pastor Jeff distinguishes between thanksgiving and praise, noting that “Thanksgiving gets our foot in the door, but praise takes us higher and further into God’s presence.” This Thanksgiving, let’s go beyond thanksgiving.

Pastor Matt, Pastor Jamal, Pastor Todd & Missionary Tara Matthews talk about their own personal devotional lives, as Pastor Jeff gave a window into his devotional life for the Sunday message. We talk about how seasons of life affect it, as well as some other tools that we use to enhance our devotions. We also talk about Pastor Jeff's sermon, specifically discussing the part of Acts 27 when the "experts" went against Paul's advice to sail, because it seemed right to them. For us, we talk about what sometimes may seem like godly advice, but actually proves not to be helpful.

11/15/20 | How do you stay calm, confident & courageous during a storm? Pastor Jeff gives a window into what his personal devotional life looks like; how he approaches the scriptures and pulls out spiritual truths for what we face today. Looking at Acts 27, Pastor Jeff reminds us to:

Remember God's presence (Acts 27:23)

Remember God's purpose (Acts 27:24)

Remember God's promises (Acts 27:25)

Remember to pray (Acts 27:30)

Pastor Matt, Pastor Jamal, and Missionary Tara Matthews try to describe 2020 in one word. We talk about managing vs. solving tension, how Christians are more affected by society than the other way around, and allowing the gospel to pierce through and change us.

11/08/2020 | It's tough to describe what 2020 has been like in just one word: unprecedented, hellacious, even apocalyptic. Considering the state of tension our nation is in right now, Pastor Jeff looks at what the Hebrews writer says about Moses in Hebrews 11:24-27. Moses' life is an example for us to live by in what can feel like a wilderness type of experience. Moses resolved these tensions early in his life, and Christ enables us to as well:

1) Who Am I?

2) Who Do I Want To Be?

3) What Is Important In My Life?

4) How Am I Going To Live?

Knowing that we are in a tense political climate with Election Day approaching and even a possible waiting period, Pastor Matt, Pastor Jamal, and Missionary Tara Matthews read and discuss key scriptures that talk about Christians, the government, and what our response must be. Scriptures we read:

-1 Timothy 2:1-4

-Romans 13:1-7, 14

-1 Peter 2:12-17

We then move the discussion to talk about Greg Hubbard's messages for the Spiritual Emphasis Weekend.

11/01/2020 | Evangelist Greg Hubbard was with us for our Spiritual Emphasis Weekend. For our Sunday morning service, he shared from Ephesians 2:19-22, focusing on where the scripture says that Christ is our cornerstone. Expanding further on the text, Greg shows us that:

1) Jesus is our Cornerstone

2) Jesus is our Keystone

3) Jesus is our Capstone

Pastor Matt, Pastor Jamal, Pastor Todd & Missionary Tara Matthews have some fun nerding out about bible translations, and then move the discussion to the value of having others in your walk with God. We share of times when people have helped us to grow in faith, and about how true Christianity involves a community of faith, not simply an individualistic one.

10/25/2020 | How do we take our relationship with God from the shallows into a deeper place? In Week 4, Pastor Jeff talks about how there are some things that we shouldn't do alone, and our faith is one of them. We > Me. If you want to go deeper, your faith needs a friend. Reading from Hebrews 10:22-24, Pastor Jeff shares three factors that are better as "we" instead of just "me":

1) We draw near to God together (v. 22)

2) We hold on to hope together (v. 23)

3) We change the world together (v. 24)

Pastor Matt, Pastor Jamal, Pastor Todd & Missionary Tara Matthews talk about the types of experiences we collect as Christians and how to keep them in the appropriate perspective. We also talk about stepping out and growing in our expressions of worship, and being obedient to God when he calls us to do something.