Let Hope In – 2 Samuel 9:11-13: "Is there any hope?"  It's an essential question that gets asked by countless individuals in countless situations each and every day.  We all need hope in order to thrive in life.  And yet, whether through unforeseen circumstances or poor choices (either on our part or the part of others) life has so many ways of stealing our hope.  This Thanksgiving weekend we're beginning a new conversation called Let Hope In.  Join us as we launch this series by looking at the life of an obscure biblical figure - Mephibosheth - and discover from his powerful story that no matter what set of circumstances we find ourselves in, none of us is beyond hope.

The Generosity Initiative - Luke 18:35-43 // Luke 6:37-38: Last weekend we talked about how generosity can create remarkable ripple effects in our lives and in the lives of others.  This weekend, we'll expand that theme and talk about the chain reactions that might happen in and through our lives as we extend the kindness God has  sent our way to others.  Intentional acts of kindness can accomplish so much for so many!  We will conclude our series of talks around the Generosity Initiative and perhaps, maybe, here's hoping that Dr. Bumbleton will finally be enlightened and realize generosity is not simply a scientific process ... but a little more like social studies with a smattering of home economics!!  We'll end the generosity initiative by allowing Jesus to have the final word - it's actually a fantastic way to live all our lives!

The Generosity Initiative - Matthew 19:13-20: Legacies. Everyone will leave one. That's a given.  But not everyone will leave a legacy that is welcomed by those who follow. What kind of influence are we having on those God has brought across our paths? This weekend we'll quickly look at an encounter between Jesus and some children, and between Jesus and a young adult. Then we'll consider the kind of impact we're making on the emerging generation. 

When I look at the kids, youth and young adults of our church ... my heart swells with pride and hope. So many amazing kids are coming. What will it mean to make a way for them and to celebrate all that God wants to do in and through them? Our focus on generosity will shift from the world of the material to the wonder of spiritual and emotional connections.

The Generosity Initiative – Matthew 23:23-36: Tithing. Sometimes it feels like a bad debt we'll owe for the rest of our lives. I've always like the guy who compared it to flossing one's teeth:  "We don't really like doing it but were afraid something really bad might happen to us if we don't!"  Apparently, many of us tithe about us frequently as we floss!  It's a pretty sporadic experience.  While we'll touch on the principle of the tithe this weekend - we'll see that Jesus takes this spirit of generosity to an entirely deeper level.  We'll talk about "the more important matters" and "the genius of the and." We'll have a bit of an update on our recent experiments and celebrate the great things God is doing in and through our church family. I'm so excited about how God is speaking to us and challenging us and church this weekend will be that much more beautiful and impactful if you are here! Hope to see you - have a fantastic weekend!  I LOVE being your pastor!

The Generosity Initiative - Luke 13:13-21: Stuff. We seemingly can't get enough of it...but apparently it clutters more than our closets, kitchens, garages and storage sheds.  It seems to clutter our souls.  Jesus gives some of his most practical teachings in Luke 12 about our fascination with all things material. He warns us to "be on our guard against all kinds of greed."  Greed's not just one of the seven deadlies ... it's a cruel companion to so many of us so often. How do we stand on guard against greed!?  Even the fine people at MasterCard who love to assist us in spending our money acknowledge that  there are certain things - priceless things - that money can't buy. Let's be reminded this weekend of some of those priceless things as we search the heart of Jesus for wisdom on how to live well in a very material world. Remember to bring along your groceries for various food banks around the city as we seek to embrace this week's generosity experiment! It's going to be a great weekend - I look forward to being with you!

The Generosity Initiative - Matthew 6:25-34: "More for me is better for me."  No one really says that out loud...but often the way we live our lives screams that message loud and clear.  We are all in some kind of pursuit of a meaningful life but our culture's value system of defining the good life often clashes with God's purposes for us.  We have more of just about everything today but the data of life compellingly communicates that we're not necessarily much happier.  We're actually more stressed and overwhelmed than ever before.   John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to provide us with life and life abundant.  How exactly does Jesus define an abundant life?  What truly is better for us?  What makes us better people?  This weekend, we launch into our Fall series entitled "The Generosity Initiative."  It's going to be a journey on pursuing abundance as Jesus defines it.  There's  going to be a unique twist at the end of each service that I think will capture all of our hearts.  I dearly hope you'll be able to join with us.  It's going to be a fantastic weekend!  Much love and grace to you.

Road Trip – Ephesians 6:10-20: Before you set out on a road trip, you need to make sure you have the right gear.  In fact if you don't have the right gear, you can quickly find yourself in a precarious situation.  In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul lays out the pieces of gear we need to bring with us as we head out on our spiritual journey.  Whether we like it or not, there will be moments on our road trip where the forces of darkness will seek to set up barricades on the highway and attempt to put us in the ditch.  Thankfully, when we make use of the gear God provides us with, we can reach our destination successfully. Let's make sure we're geared up!

Road Trip - Ephesians 5:21-6:4: When was the last time you heard that? With kids plugged in (tablets, phones, etc) it seems as though the back seats are getting quieter; but our world is not getting quieter. In fact the noise in kids' lives and our lives is getting louder and louder. With all of the messages we receive each day from Facebook, Twitter, TV, online and more, we are inundated with things fighting for our attention. But what's the point? Where is this life (road trip) supposed to be taking us? Let's look at Ephesians 5:21-6:4, a passage that talks about our relationships, especially within our family. We are going to look at what this journey is supposed to be like. For the follower of Jesus, it's not just about the destination, it's about the journey as well. That means we get to live this life with passion, purpose and possibility!

Road Trip – Ephesians 5:1-20: I'm minutes away from walking into a wedding ceremony!  Oh the joys and excitement of such an event.  So much promise - so much anticipation - so much terror!  There is something about living life with a great sense of hope and anticipation.  It's also sadly far too easy to lose that sense.  If we're honest, we acknowledge that life has a way of beating it out of us sometimes.  Against that backdrop and reality, Paul challenges us in Ephesians 5 about the choices that are before us.  Choices that in a very real way, shape our lives and determine our destinies.  This text is a brilliant reminder of what it means to live a great life with great expectations.  I hope, together, we'll 'wake up' to the wonder of life with God.  It's a road trip like no other!

Road Trip – Ephesians 4:17-32: Sometimes road trips seem like they will never end.  Each time we think our destination is around the corner, another stretch of road looms ahead.  Let's face it, we just want to get there! We can often feel that way about our spiritual journey.  In the first half of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul paints a beautiful picture of the church in all its glory.  But when we look around, we see we've got a ways to go if our picture is going to match his.  Then we start to wonder how on earth we are supposed to get from here to there.  Paul must have known we would wonder, because in the second half of his letter he addresses just that.  Come hear our call to be made new by the living God, as we put off the old and put on the new.  The destination is a lot closer than you think.