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In the second installment of the "Dungeons & Dragons" sermon series, Pastor Cyle Young turns to the story of Job to explore what happens when we face the things we can't control. After recounting Job's devastating losses—his children, his wealth, his health, his marriage, and even his friendships—Pastor Cyle walks through God's response to Job's suffering, found in Job 38 and 41. Rather than offering explanations, God confronts Job with a series of questions, culminating in a vivid description of Leviathan, a fearsome creature many scholars believe to be a dragon.

The message draws a powerful parallel: just as Job could not tame, negotiate with, or defeat Leviathan, we cannot control the "dragons" in our own lives—the health crises, broken relationships, financial hardships, and uncertainties that terrify us. But the dragon isn't scary to God. As Creator and Sovereign over all things, God is bigger than anything we face. Pastor Cyle challenges us to stop measuring God by the size of what scares us, to stop trying to treat God like a genie who grants our demands, and instead to trust that God is still in control when everything feels out of control. The call is simple but profound: faith isn't knowing how God will handle the dragon—faith is knowing the dragon still belongs to Him.

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On this episode of the HOTLCast, the crew kicks off October with some fall-weather banter before diving into the week's theme: obedience. The conversation centers on what it looks like to be obedient to God's prompting to have hard conversations with the people you love — and how to do it without destroying the relationship in the process. They discuss building a bridge strong enough to bear the weight of truth, the critical question of "You might be right, but is it loving?", and a practical tool they call the "McDonald's Follow-Up" — scheduling time together right after a tough talk to reaffirm that the relationship is still intact. Along the way they touch on their October sermon series "Dungeons & Dragons," the culture of honor, and why being able to receive hard truth is a prerequisite for giving it well.

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Did you know the creator of Dungeons & Dragons, Gary Gygax, wrote about finding Jesus Christ just one month before he passed away? In this opening message of our October series, Pastor Cyle kicks things off with that surprising story before diving into a lesser-known — but gripping — passage from 1 Kings 22.

Set in 853 BC, Israel is split into two kingdoms. King Ahab wants to reclaim the city of Ramoth-Gilead from Syria, and he's got 400 prophets telling him exactly what he wants to hear: "Go for it. God's with you." But there's one prophet — Micaiah — who dares to tell the truth. The one guy Ahab can't stand, because he never says what Ahab wants him to say.

This message unpacks what happens when we surround ourselves with yes-men instead of truth-tellers, when we try to disguise our disobedience as following God, and why obedience — even when it's hard — is always the right answer.

Key scripture: 1 Kings 22

Themes: Obedience, truth-tellers vs. yes-men, hiding from God, living a life of integrity

Whether you grew up in a church that banned card games or you've never heard of Micaiah, this message is a challenge: stop asking God to approve the life you've already decided to live, and start living the life He's calling you to.

🎧 Follow for weekly messages from Heart o' the Lakes Church. 📖 Read along: 1 Kings 22 — we dare you.

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The HOTLCast crew digs into what it takes to stay spiritually grounded when life never slows down. Matt, Ryan, Cody, and Mark explore the tension between intentionality and burnout in ministry, why lasting faith change rarely happens overnight, and the small daily habits that keep you connected to God when there's no room in the schedule for a long quiet time. From five-minute prayer pauses and 3:30 PM alarms to abstinence from worldly distractions and turning your commute into worship — each host shares the personal practices they rely on. If you've ever struggled to build consistent spiritual habits in the middle of a packed life, this one's for you.

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In week three of the Vices 3.0 series at Heart o' the Lakes Church, Pastor Matt Plott explores what comes after the vices are gone — and how to build habits that last. Drawing from the book of James and the story of Jesus calming the storm, Pastor Matt unpacks three key choices: seek God daily, trust Him in every circumstance, and embrace the different path He calls us to — even when the familiar feels more comfortable.

Whether you're wrestling with addiction, navigating hardship, or simply looking to deepen your faith, this message is a reminder that your story matters, that God offers wisdom when we ask, and that following Jesus — while never promised to be easy — is always worth it.

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The HOTLCast crew — Matt, Ryan, Carver, and Mark — follow up on Pastor Cyle's "Vices" sermon series, reflecting on the powerful testimonies from Mike & Jen Cook and Michael Walters. The conversation covers the many faces of addiction, from substance abuse to screen time and social media, and explores the tension between moderation and abstinence. The guys discuss emotional sobriety, the danger of living a double life online, and why sharing your story — no matter how broken — might be the most powerful thing you can do for someone who feels stuck. Matt closes with a memorable parable from The West Wing: the friend who jumps into the hole because he's been there before and knows the way out.

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In part 3.2 of the Vices series, Pastor Cyle challenges the popular idea that "everything is okay in moderation." Drawing from 1 Corinthians 6 and 10, he unpacks what biblical moderation and abstinence actually look like — and why "just because you can doesn't mean you should." The episode features powerful testimonies from Mike and Jen Cook, who found sobriety and faith through Alcoholics Anonymous decades ago, and Michael Walters, who shares a harrowing story of addiction, a near-fatal car crash, and the series of unmistakable signs God used to draw him and his family back to Him. Together, their stories make the case that sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is surrender the thing that's controlling you — and that letting go isn't loss, it's freedom.

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In this episode of HOTL's Got Questions, the hosts tackle one of the most taboo topics in the church—masturbation. They break down what the Bible actually says about sexual activity and self-gratification, pushing back on "TikTok theology" that claims you can masturbate without sinning. The conversation covers the link between masturbation and lust, how pornography fuels the cycle, and why this isn't just a "teenager problem"—it's a struggle spanning every age group, including adults in their 60s and 70s.

The discussion also gets practical: how the dopamine rush mirrors hard drug addiction, why secrecy and shame make it worse, and how unchecked habits can destroy future marriages and intimacy. The hosts share biblical strategies for self-control, the importance of confession and accountability, and why your spouse should be your standard of beauty. If you or someone you know is struggling, this episode offers a path forward with honesty, grace, and real-world advice.

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The HOTLCast crew is back together as Ryan returns from Save a Warrior, a suicide intervention program for veterans and first responders. The conversation kicks off a new installment of the "Vices" series, this time tackling addiction in all its forms — from drugs and alcohol to pornography, food, social media, caffeine, and even gossip. The guys discuss the veteran suicide crisis, the idea of "getting honest about your dishonesty," emotional sobriety vs. physical sobriety, and how the God-shaped hole in all of us gets filled with the wrong things. They also get practical, covering real accountability strategies like accountability partners, Covenant Eyes, location sharing, and the hard conversations that come with walking someone through their struggles. If you're stuck in an addiction — or trying to help someone who is — this episode is an honest, grace-filled starting point.

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In the third installment of the "Vices" series at Heart o' the Lakes Church, Pastor Cyle Young tackles the topic of addiction — and not just the kind you might expect. Drawing from Galatians 5, 1 Corinthians 6, Romans 6, and 1 Peter 5, he shows that addiction goes far beyond drugs and alcohol to encompass anything that gains control over our lives: envy, anger, sports, comfort, food, and more. Pastor Cyle introduces a practical three-part filter for decision-making: Is it lawful? Is it helpful? Will it dominate me?

The sermon features two powerful testimonies. Angela Van Etten shares her decade-long struggle with alcohol addiction and her journey to three years of sobriety through the church's 12-step program and the power of the Holy Spirit. Sarah Walters recounts her ten-year battle with cocaine and alcohol — a descent that led to divorce, despair, and near destruction — before a single prayer removed her cravings and God began restoring her marriage, her family, and her purpose. Now three years sober, she's pursuing a clinical social work degree to help other addicts find God.

The core message: addiction promises relief but eventually demands control. What we keep obeying becomes what we serve. But freedom starts when secrecy ends — and bondage does not get the final word. Jesus does.