We've talked about why confession matters. But what does it actually look like to confess? What words do you use?

Hey, Christ Church! I'm Dustin Hacker, and this is our final devotion in this week's "Holy Habits" series on Prayer and Confession. Yesterday, we laid the foundation for confession—what it is and why we need it. Today, we're getting practical. I'm going to walk you through what a prayer of confession can look like, using a beautiful, ancient framework from the Book of Common Prayer.

In this devotion, we explore:

• A simple, personal prayer of confession: naming the specific sin, acknowledging it as wrong, and asking for God's forgiveness. It can be that straightforward.
• A deeper, more reflective model from the Book of Common Prayer that the church has prayed for centuries.
• The difference between sins of commission (the wrong things we do) and sins of omission (the good things we leave undone).
• Why Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, calls us to confess not just our actions, but the thoughts and intentions of our hearts—anger, lust, and the hidden things that lead to sin.
• How confession leads to repentance, which leads to life change—all for the glory of God.

Whether you use a formal prayer, pray through Psalm 51 (David's prayer of confession), or simply speak from your heart in your own words, the goal is the same: to stop hiding, bring your sin into the light, and receive the grace and mercy that God offers you in Christ Jesus.

This Lenten season, I hope you'll engage in this practice. It might just change your heart.

Don't forget to like and subscribe as we continue our Holy Habits series with more topics in the weeks ahead!

Why is our first instinct, when we do something wrong, to hide? It started in the Garden of Eden, and it's still true for us today.

Hey, Christ Church! I'm Dustin Hacker, and welcome back to our "Holy Habits" devotional series. Today, we're beginning a two-part look at one of the most misunderstood and avoided spiritual practices: Confession.

In this video, we go back to the very beginning—Genesis chapter 3—to understand where our instinct to hide and cover up came from. And then we discover what confession is actually meant to be.

In this devotion, we explore:

• The story of Adam and Eve: their first instinct after sinning wasn't to run to God, but to run from Him. Sound familiar?
• What the word "confession" actually means: from the Greek homologeo—"to say the same thing." Confession is simply agreeing with God that what we've done is wrong.
• What confession is NOT: It's not about earning forgiveness (Jesus already did that). It's not for God's benefit (He already knows). Confession is for us—to bring our sins out of the darkness and into the light of His grace.
• The promise of 1 John 1: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us.
• Why confession must be regular and ongoing—because we continue to sin, and we should never let sin hide in the darkness of our hearts.
• A brief look at confessing to one another: when we've wronged someone, confession isn't complete without seeking their forgiveness as well.

Confession requires humility. It's hard. But it's also the beginning of real change—leading us from admission to repentance, from hiding to healing.

Take some time today to ask: What have I been hiding? What needs to be brought into the light?

Don't forget to like and subscribe as we continue our Holy Habits series.

Do you ever feel like you're praying the same things over and over again? Like your prayers have become a little stale or routine?

Hey, Christ Church! I'm Dustin Hacker, and welcome back to our "Holy Habits" devotional series. Yesterday we talked about the simple, foundational definition of prayer: talking with God. Today, we're building on that foundation by exploring a specific, ancient way of praying that can breathe new life into your time with God.

In this devotion, we explore:

• How every worship service is really a corporate prayer service—we speak to God in songs and readings, and we hear from God in His Word.
• A favorite practice of C.S. Lewis: praying the Scriptures line by line, letting each verse become a launching point for your own prayers.
• What "festing" prayer means: an old word for adorning or decorating. Just as you decorate a Christmas tree, you take a passage of Scripture and "adorn" it with your own prayers, phrases, and reflections.
• A practical example using Psalm 16: walking through verse by verse, pausing in silence, and letting the Holy Spirit direct your response.
• Why this practice is so helpful: It gives structure without stifling the Spirit. It helps us avoid saying the same things over and over, and opens us up to new ways of connecting with God.

If you've been longing for a deeper, more reflective prayer life—especially during this Lenten season—this practice might be exactly what you need.

Try it today: Pick a short passage (like the Lord's Prayer or a favorite Psalm), go through it slowly, line by line, and let it guide your conversation with God.

Don't forget to like and subscribe as we continue our Holy Habits series with more on prayer and confession!

What is prayer, really? Is it complicated? Is it supposed to be eloquent? Do you need the right words?

Hey, Christ Church! I'm Dustin Hacker, the Associate Campus Pastor at our Lake Forest campus, and I'm kicking off this week's "Holy Habits" devotionals on two essential practices: Prayer and Confession.

In this first video, we're going back to the basics. And to help us, I asked my six-year-old daughter for her definition of prayer. Her answer was simple, profound, and exactly what we need to hear.

In this devotion, we explore:

• A child's definition: "Prayer is talking to God." That's it. Simple, sincere, regular conversation with your Heavenly Father.
• How Jesus modeled a life of prayer—constantly withdrawing to quiet places to be alone with God.
• The Lord's Prayer as a model, not just a recitation. Jesus gave it to oppose two wrong ways of praying: praying to be seen by others, and praying with endless words to try to convince God to act.
• The real purpose of prayer: It's not about getting God to do things for you like a divine personal assistant. It's about communion—raising your mind and heart to God.
• A beautiful definition from John of Damascus: "The goal of prayer is to raise the mind and the heart to God."

Prayer is the foundation of every other spiritual practice. It's how we draw near to God—and when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us.

Whether you're starting a prayer practice for the first time or restarting one that's been neglected, this Lenten season is your invitation to simply raise your heart and mind to God.

Don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss the rest of this week's devotionals on Prayer and Confession!

We've talked about the why of Sabbath and service all week. But now comes the hard part: the how.

Hi everyone! I'm Paul Fowler, the Lake Forest Campus Pastor, and this is our final devotion in this week's "Holy Habits" series on Sabbath and Service. We've covered the theology, the biblical history, and the heart behind these practices. But if we don't know how to actually live them out, it's just information.

So today, we're getting practical.

In this video, we walk through simple, actionable steps to help you actually do the thing:

For Sabbath:

• First, decide on a day. Is Sunday your best option? Saturday? A weekday? There's no one-size-fits-all answer.
• Then, decide what you'll do—and more importantly, what you'll stop doing. The Sabbath was made for you, not you for the Sabbath. What brings you refreshment and helps you connect with God?
• Start small. Maybe it's just a morning without screens. Maybe it's an afternoon with no commitments. And remember: the Israelites prepared before the Sabbath. Give yourself time to set it up.

For Service:

• Start at home. Serving isn't just a church activity—it's a posture. How can you serve your spouse, your kids, your roommates, your coworkers this week?
• Find a place to serve formally. The church and the community need you. You have a spiritual gift that is meant to be used.
• If you're not sure where to serve, reach out! Contact a campus pastor. Let us help you find the place where your gifts can make a difference.

Your life with God stands before you. God gave you the Sabbath as a gift. He gave you gifts to serve the church. The question is: How will you embrace them?

Take some time today to pray through this. And if you're looking for a place to serve at Christ Church, please reach out—we'd love to help you get connected.

Don't forget to like and subscribe as we continue our Holy Habits series with more topics in the weeks ahead!

You've been set free. But free for what?

Hi everyone! I'm Paul Fowler, the Lake Forest Campus Pastor, and welcome back to our "Holy Habits" devotional series. Yesterday we talked about the gift of Sabbath—a day to rest and be with God. Today, we're looking at the other side of the coin: Service.

If you've ever wondered where you should be serving—or if serving is even that important—this devotion is for you.

In this video, we explore:

• Galatians 5:13-14 and the surprising reason we are called to serve: not out of obligation, but out of our freedom in Christ.
• How serving others humbly in love is actually a way of fulfilling the law's command to "love your neighbor as yourself."
• Jesus washing the disciples' feet as the ultimate model of servant leadership in the new covenant.
• The two arenas of service: the everyday posture of putting others first in your marriage, friendships, and workplace, AND the formal use of your spiritual gifts to serve the church and the community.
• A gentle but honest challenge: Are we really too busy to serve, or are we just distracted?

Your community needs you. Your church needs you. And you have been given gifts that are meant to be used.

Take some time today to reflect: Where are you serving? And where might God be calling you to serve more?

Don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss the rest of this week's devotionals on Sabbath and Service!

The Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments. We don't murder, we don't steal—but what about the Sabbath? Is it required for Christians today, or is it optional? And if we don't keep it on Saturday like our Jewish brothers and sisters, are we doing it wrong?

Hi everyone! I'm Paul Fowler, the Lake Forest Campus Pastor, and welcome back to our "Holy Habits" devotional series. Today, we're tackling one of the most misunderstood and debated spiritual practices: Sabbath. To understand it, we have to go all the way back to the beginning—and then trace it through Scripture to see how it applies to our lives today.

In this devotion, we explore:

• Where the Sabbath originates: God resting on the seventh day in Genesis—not because He was tired, but because He was modeling something essential for us.
• The Sabbath in the Old Testament: From manna in the wilderness to the Fourth Commandment, to a "day of sacred assembly" in Leviticus.
• The Sabbath in the New Testament: Jesus celebrating it, getting in trouble for healing on it, and the early church's transition to gathering on Sunday (the first day of the week) because of the resurrection.
• The tricky question: Do we have to keep the Sabbath since it's part of the Ten Commandments? A look at Colossians 2, the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, and the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant.
• The bottom line: We are not under obligation to keep the Sabbath—but that doesn't mean we should ignore it. What might the Holy Spirit be inviting you into when it comes to rest?

The Sabbath isn't just a rule to follow or a box to check. It's a gift. But maybe you've never stopped to ask God: What should the Sabbath look like in my life?

Take some time today to pray and ask that very question. You might be surprised by what He shows you.

Don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss the rest of this week's devotionals on Sabbath and Service!

When Jesus shows up at your door, what do you do? Do you kick into high gear, making sure everything is perfect? Or do you drop everything just to be with Him?

Hi everyone! I'm Paul Fowler, the Lake Forest Campus Pastor, and I'm excited to kick off this week's "Holy Habits" devotionals. We're diving into two essential—and seemingly opposite—practices: Sabbath and Service. And to help us understand the tension between them, we're going straight to a familiar story in Luke 10: the visit of Jesus to the home of Mary and Martha.

In this devotion, we explore:

• The classic tension between "doing" and "being"—between structure and free time, between serving and resting.
• Why Jesus gently corrects Martha, not because her service was bad, but because Mary had chosen "what is better."
• The crucial distinction: Mary wasn't praised because sitting is better than serving. She was praised because she sat at the feet of Jesus when He was right there, speaking to her.
• A simple framework for the week ahead: When is it time to sit in God's presence? And when is it time to serve in God's presence? Both are good. Both are necessary.

Whether you're a natural "Martha" who loves to get things done, or a natural "Mary" who cherishes quiet moments, this devotion will help you ask the right question: What is the Holy Spirit guiding me to embrace more fully in my walk with God right now?

Take a moment today to pray and ask God: Where do You want me to embrace rest? And where do You want me to embrace service?

Don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss the rest of this week's devotionals on Sabbath and Service!

What is the actual goal of spiritual disciplines? Is it to check boxes, read our Bibles more, and pray longer prayers? Or is it something—and Someone—entirely different?

Welcome back to our "Holy Habits" devotional series. In this video, Pastor Mike offers a crucial reminder: spiritual practices are not an end in themselves. The goal is not to become a "really disciplined Christian." The goal is to become the kind of person who naturally does what Jesus would do—bearing the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control.

In this devotion, we explore:

• How the children in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia are transformed by their time with Aslan.
• Edmund's journey from selfishness and resentment to humility and courage—changed not by trying harder, but by meeting grace.
• Lucy's quiet, steady faith that allows her to be a truth-teller and persevere in goodness, even when others waver.
• The crucial insight that our growth is not just for our own benefit—it prepares us to be sent back into a broken world to serve at a deeper level.

In a world aching for people marked by peace instead of anxiety, and generosity instead of self-protection, the invitation is the same for us as it was for the Pevensie children: time with Jesus changes everything.

What might happen if you simply spent more time with Him?

Don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss the next devotion in our Holy Habits series!

How does spiritual transformation actually happen? Is it one dramatic moment, or is it something else entirely?

Welcome back to our "Holy Habits" devotional series. In this video, Pastor Mike continues our exploration of the spiritual practices that position us for God to do His transforming work. And to illustrate this, he turns to one of literature's most unlikely heroes: Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings.

In this devotion, we discover:

• The difference between behavior modification (trying harder) and true spiritual transformation (being changed by God).
• How Samwise, a simple gardener with no ambition for glory, becomes a person of noble character—not through one heroic act, but through thousands of small, faithful choices.
• The powerful moment when Sam realizes he can't carry Frodo's burden, but he can carry Frodo himself.
• A reminder from C.S. Lewis that every choice we make "turns the central part of you into a little different thing than it was before."

Transformation isn't about dramatic, overnight change. It's about the quiet accumulation of small steps in the right direction—choosing faithfulness, loyalty, and love, one decision at a time. This is what spiritual habits are for: they train us to make those small, right choices so that, over time, God shapes us into who He created us to be.

What small choice can you make today that will steer you toward God?

Don't forget to like and subscribe so you don't miss the next devotion in our Holy Habits series!