Hope always gets the last word with God. But in seasons of distress, it can be difficult to see how God could ever bring any good out of the mess. The Book of Isaiah reminds us, though, that God has always done his best work in the most dire of circumstances.

When the angel Gabriel breaks through time and space for a first-century encounter with a young virgin by the name of Mary, it is clear that nothing in her life will ever be the same again. But more than Gabriel's awe-inspiring presence, it is his declaration that she has found "favor with God" that must have hung heavy in her heart long after he disappeared.

The Christmas story has been told in many ways, but rarely has it been told from this perspective. Mary and Joseph's compelling story has been stylized and sanitized by the march of time. A closer look, though, reveals a much more chaotic situation involving switchbacks and changed plans.

Many are aware of the pigeon's highly attuned homing instinct—best captured in "messenger pigeons"—but few realize that pigeons are only one of many creatures with an instinct to find home. In this special "friendsgiving" service, Pastor Kevin weaves the story of the Prodigal Son into a compelling message about our own needs and longings.

It's a defining moment in each of our lives... first flight. We all remember the moment when we first set aside the training wheels and rode a bicycle on our own! On the road to Jerusalem, Jesus himself has a chance encounter with three would-be disciples who wish to follow him but are struggling with the training wheels of their own faith.

In the days after a bitterly divided election, there seems to be less certainly about our future than ever. But these days of uncertainty are an opportunity for us to remember that the world (and the church) is much larger than is visible from our doorsteps. Join Pastor Kevin for a journey from the USAmerican Church, to the International Church, and beyond.

Halloween and All Saints Day, side-by-side on the calendar, present a peculiar juxtaposition between evil and good. Or... do they?! Join Pastor Kevin for a journey through the odd space that exists between the these two seemingly competing holidays.

The importance of "corporate branding" has been overtaken by a greater desire from Fortune 500 companies, becoming a "belief brand." In Pastor Kevin's home, there are several belief brand's present. Can you guess them? The question isn't "Do we support belief brands?" but "To which belief brands do we give ourselves?"

The Bible has a great deal to say about human relationships, especially Jesus. He was always turning the tables, both literally and figuratively. In a landmark conversation, Jesus turns the tables in favor of a victim who has been traumatized for years. It is a turnaround of epic proportions.

The two national pastimes in the US has become trying not to say anything offensive to anyone and taking offense at every occasion we can. But Jesus very much wanted to show us a different way. But how do we choose it?