The Bible offers PLENTY of symbolic imagery for how God loves his people. He loves us like a father loves a son. Like a shepherd leads his sheep. Like a groom loves his bride. The book of Hosea offers a symbol of love that shows how incredible God's love really is, even when it is incredibly messy.

The old holiday song says this is "the season to be jolly." Actually this "season" is about so much more! This should be a time when we not only focus on the birth of Jesus, but we invite others to experience the miracle of the baby in the manger. 'Tis the season to find peace, 'tis the season to have hope, 'tis the season to experience grace...all because the Son of God chose to enter our world and rescue us from darkness and despair.

So far we've discovered that Jonah was probably pretty popular, was unhappy with God's mission for him, and was the first documented survivor of being swallowed by a fish. But we're not done with Jonah yet - there's still more to learn in the fascinating story of this reluctant prophet.

Some of us get uncomfortable, maybe even cringe a little bit, when we hear about tithing or giving to the church. But giving is about much more than paying the church's utility bills and the preacher's salary. When done with the heart and mindset God wants us to have, giving is an act of faith, an act of worship, even an act of thankfulness. So what are some of the misconceptions I might have about giving? And how can I view my giving to God as an act of gratitude instead of an obligation?

There are over 4,600 kids in foster care in Arkansas right now and approximately 300 children waiting to be adopted. However many of us are unaware (or maybe unconcerned) about how many kids in our community are in desperate need of having a safe, loving place to call home. We serve a God that scripture calls a "father to the fatherless," but do we follow His lead in caring for kids in need? As we try to show our thankfulness to God through our actions, what are some ways we can demonstrate our gratitude for the homes and families we have by providing that kind of environment for some kids who need it or by supporting agencies and ministries that work to give kids a forever home?

Jesus Juke Podcast Ep. 2

MUST OR DUST THANKSGIVING EDITION 

// We're just two guys talking life, family, weird stories, and the occasional Jesus Juke *Heisman Sounds*. In our second episode, Marshall and  @Brandon Dodd  talk turkey with Thanksgiving just a few days away. There are some definite dishes that should grace each of our holiday tables, but there is some disagreement on which ones. What dishes are landing on YOUR Thanksgiving tables this season?

Question: what do you get when you cross a shepherd, a fig-farmer, and an out-of-towner? Answer: Amos the prophet. We're going to talk about the powerful messages God delivered through this unlikely preacher.

Our leadership summarizes the previous weeks' classes, shares where this study originated, and shares some of their vision for the future of Flagstone based on what we've learned from this study.

Our gratitude doesn't need to be limited to just saying "thank you." Scripture tells us that a powerful way for us to show our thanks to God is by sharing His blessings with others. It's not just about being thankful FOR what I have; it's also about being thankful WITH what I have. So how can I become more consistent in being thankful for the things God gives me? And how can I be thankful for my blessings when I'm giving them away?

We are launching a new study of the messages in the Old Testament given to us by those known as the "minor prophets." While the term "minor" might cause us to think these messages are somewhat less significant than other parts of scripture, the reality is that God used these individuals to share some powerful truths that are still relevant for us today. Join us as we discover together the major truths to be found in the words of these minor prophets.