The New Testament quotes or alludes to Psalm 110 more than any other Old Testament passage. Why? Because it speaks of Jesus’ power and authority. It reminds us that, even as our lives may be chaotic and confusing, our world is not out of control. The Christmas season reminds us that we do have someone who is our great high priest and king!

Psalm 2 functions on two levels—it speaks both of the Israelite king as well as the coming king, Jesus. This text invites us to see Jesus not simply as a baby in a manger but also as a king on his throne. Furthermore, since Jesus is king, we will experience true freedom when we take refuge in him.

Psalm 145 encourages us to understand God’s greatness and his goodness; it also shows that these traits should lead us to praise. This habit of praise is something we are to pass on from generation to generation. With that in mind, how can we live out the theme of praise this Christmas season?

For most of us, once Thanksgiving arrives, our schedules change, and we enter “holiday mode.” With that comes expectations to be happy and excited about Christmas. But what if we are not? What if we are navigating painful or disappointing circumstances? As we begin the Christmas season, Psalm 22 acknowledges the reality of those circumstances yet still encourages us to live in the reality of hope—a hope that becomes real as we celebrate Christmas.

At some point, you’ve probably avoided a hard situation or a conversation that you needed to have. It’s easy to become passive or disengaged in complicated situations and simply “keep the peace.” Yet, James argues that we should live differently. Instead of passively “keeping the peace,” we should actively work for peace; we should be willing to take initiative in working through relational tension and conflict.

So, what does it look like to relate well with others? What does it take to have relational intelligence? As James discusses relationships, he lists a variety of attributes that will enable us to engage others well. Of course, these aren’t traits that can be applied mechanically; they require skill and wisdom. Yet, we don’t need to be overwhelmed because God’s empowering wisdom is available to each of us right now.

In offering guidance to early Christians, James is aware of ways these churches can experience infighting, conflict, and backbiting. Whether they realize it or not, they are engaging others in ways that can sabotage relationships. The same is true today. There may be things we are doing that are damaging our connections with those around us. So, how do I know if I’m doing this? What are the warning signs? Join us on Sunday as James shows us negative patterns we may need to address.

We are less than two weeks away from election day. Are you excited? Complacent? Or just ready for this to be over? In the midst of all of the political activity around us, how do we engage this moment well? Likewise, how should we interact with those who have differing views? To answer those questions, on Sunday we will look at a statement Jesus made that is profoundly relevant to our situation. So, join us as we talk about Jesus and Politics.

In discussing relational skills, there is one that is often avoided because it’s practiced so poorly—accountability. In fact, for some, simply mentioning the term is a reminder of negative experiences and awkward conversations. However, rightly understood, accountability is part of embracing the biblical challenge to be “for one another.” So, how do we do this well? How can accountability help us grow as followers of Jesus?

Have you ever had an interaction—either in person or online—where you came away thinking, “That person doesn’t understand me!” It’s a frustrating experience to be misrepresented or misunderstood, yet this happens all the time. By contrast, one of the great gifts we can give to others is developing the skill of empathy. Empathy doesn’t mean that we must agree with other people’s actions and beliefs, but it does mean that we will do our best to understand them. What does it take for us to develop this skill?