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In part two of the "Spiritual Mutts" series, Pastor Cyle explores what it means to be "dogmatic" as a Christian — and why being dogmatic about the wrong things causes so much damage in the church. Using his Weimaraner Trevie as a humorous and relatable illustration, he breaks down three critical categories every believer needs to understand:

1. Imperatives — Biblical truths God has clearly commanded (love God, love others, forgive, flee immorality). These we hold tightly.
2. Convictions — How the Holy Spirit personally applies those imperatives in our individual lives (drinking, entertainment, speech, Sabbath). These we hold faithfully, recognizing they may differ from person to person.
3. Preferences — What we simply like (worship style, dress, pews vs. chairs, technology). These we hold loosely.

Drawing from 2 Timothy 3, Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 10, and the United Brethren tradition of "in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity," Pastor Cyle challenges the church to stop barking about preferences and start standing firm on what Scripture actually says. The result? Unity without uniformity — loving each other well while being dogmatic only where God is clear.

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In this episode of the HOTLCast, Pastors Matt and Ryan are joined by Carver and Mark to unpack the idea of being a "spiritual mutt" — someone whose faith has been shaped by multiple church backgrounds and denominations. Drawing from a sermon by Pastor Cyle, the team shares their own diverse church experiences, from Baptist and Episcopal to Fellowship of Grace Brethren churches, and discusses how each tradition contributed to their spiritual formation. They explore the United Brethren motto of "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity," and break down the difference between convictions, traditions, and preferences in church life. The conversation challenges listeners to examine what they're holding onto too tightly and to embrace change as a natural — and necessary — part of ministry and growing in faith.

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In the opening message of the "Spiritual Mutts" series, Pastor Cyle uses the analogy of dog breeds—purebreds, designer dogs, and mutts—to explore how Christians engage with denominational traditions. Drawing from his own diverse church background (Pentecostal, Nazarene, Baptist, non-denominational, and more), he argues that believers who draw strengths from multiple traditions develop "spiritual vigor"—the theological equivalent of a mutt's hybrid vigor. He highlights what each tradition contributes: Baptists' love for the Word, Pentecostals' expectation of the Spirit, Wesleyans' call to holiness, the Reformed emphasis on God's sovereignty, and liturgical traditions' historical continuity. But he also warns against "selective theology"—the tendency to keep the parts of Scripture we like and discard the parts that challenge us. Citing 1 Corinthians 1, 2 Timothy 4, 1 Thessalonians 5, and Acts 17, the message calls the church to test everything against Scripture, submit to the whole counsel of God, and resist the temptation to create a customized Christianity that suits our own passions. The sermon closes with a pastoral challenge to let God's Word shape our character, forsake sin, and live out an authentic faith in community.

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This week on the HOTLCast, Matt, Cody, Ryan, and Mark gather to unpack Sunday's message about choosing God's plan — and what that actually looks like in everyday life. They start by celebrating Next Gen Level Up Sunday and the heart behind investing in kids and students at every phase. Then the conversation shifts to David's unashamed worship, the connection between joy and fun, and a memorable reminder from Cyle: "If you don't think church should be fun, you're going to hate heaven."

The guys get real about the daily practice of choosing joy over stress, separating emotions from decisions, and what it means to be a "recovering pessimist." Ryan shares his approach to choosing peace when life gets hard, Matt talks about shifting from "the glass is half empty" to "the glass just isn't full," and Cody reflects on looking back at everything God has already done as the best antidote to worry. Along the way they discuss grace, learning from failure, and the question that ties it all together: How can you let God interrupt your plans today?

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On Level Up Sunday, Pastor Cyle celebrates students advancing to the next grade and shares how God is moving in the next generation through baptisms and youth ministry. Drawing from the story of David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the message explores how good intentions can never replace God's directions — and how obedience must come before worship. When David chose God's way over his own, the result was joyful, uninhibited celebration. The sermon challenges us to care more about God's approval than people's opinions, to stop asking God to follow our plan and instead follow His, and to trust that the One who knows the whole plan is worth following — even when it looks foolish to the world. God's plan is simple: know Him and make Him known.

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In this episode of the HOTLCast, Matt, Pastor Ryan, Cyle, and Mark wrap up their Hollywood series with a look at Project Hail Mary — the story of a discredited scientist thrust into saving the universe from extinction. Beneath the sci-fi, they find a story about hope and friendship, and use it to dig into what biblical hope really means.

They unpack the difference between hope and optimism: optimism relies on circumstances going your way, while hope holds onto God's goodness no matter what. The conversation touches on despair, the slide from "realist" into pessimism, and why fixing your eyes on eternity changes how you face hard seasons.

They also look at Paul, who wrote some of his most joyful letters from prison — proof that hope isn't about good odds, but about a relationship with a living God who is good all the time.

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In this closing message of the Hollywood series, the sermon uses the film Project Hail Mary to explore the nature of biblical hope — distinguishing it from good odds and optimism. Through the story of an astronaut throwing a Hail Mary across the universe, and the biblical account of Abraham and Sarah, the message challenges listeners to stop quietly giving up and start hoping again. It emphasizes that real hope is rooted not in circumstances changing, but in a God who never changes — and that hope is ultimately a person: Jesus Christ.

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Pastor Matt, Cyle, and Carver sit down to talk about one of the most fundamental parts of life — family. Inspired by the Mandalorian: Grogu & Dust Bunny film and the church's current "Hollywood" series, the conversation goes deep on what it truly means to be family. From chosen relationships and church community to the sacrifices of ministry life, the guys share personal stories, laugh a lot, and remind listeners that real family is built through intentional time, loyalty, and showing up for each other. Plus, hear about all the ways you can find your people at Heart of Lakes Church.

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What does a Mandalorian, Baby Yoda, and Jabba the Hutt's son have to do with your faith? More than you might think. In this message from our HOTLwood series, Pastor Matt Plott uses The Mandalorian & Grogu to unpack one of the most universal human needs — the need to belong. Whether your family has been a source of strength or a source of pain, this message is for you. We'll explore what it really means to find your people, why choosing the wrong circle can lead you further into bondage, and how a real friend — and a real church — will love you too much to leave you where you are.

Scriptures referenced: Proverbs 18:24, Hebrews 12:14-15, Ruth 1:16-18

Heart o' the Lakes Church

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What do He-Man, the Sons of Sceva, and a plastic sword have in common? More than you'd think.

In this message, Pastor Cyle from Heart o' the Lakes Church digs into one of the most overlooked passages in the book of Acts — the story of the seven sons of Sceva — to expose a danger hiding in plain sight inside the church: counterfeit faith.

Using the iconic 80s cartoon He-Man as a launching point, Pastor Cyle explores why simply having the sword of power isn't enough. Just like Adam had to become the person worthy of the sword, we can't access God's real power by imitating someone else's faith, repeating churchy language, or checking religious boxes. Real power — the kind that transforms families, carries you through grief, and makes the enemy take notice — only comes through a genuine, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Key scripture: Psalm 62:11-12 | Acts 19:11-16 | Matthew 7

You'll walk away asking: "But who are you?" — and making sure you have an answer.