Light In Your Corner

You Know This!

Have you felt unprepared for a test? Your palms sweat, your heart races, your stomach hurts, and your brain plays “you can’t do this” on repeat in your head. You just want to get it done so you can face the consequences and get on with your life. 

Unpreparedness can cause a lot of confusion and fear, which was just what the false teachers of Peter’s time were trying to spread. And Peter knew this wasn’t going to change after he died. God’s people would always have to face false teachers.

So he gave them an important message that still applies to us today–God has given you everything you need. You can be confident because God is in charge and He continues to give you what you need. Now keep going–practice your faith outside the classroom and watch as He prepares you little by little to face whatever life throws your way. 

ALSO:

• Lauren and Monica playing soccer blindly
• Stepping stones to practice what God’s given you
• Reminders, reminders, and more reminders
• God puts us where we need to be
• Just give up
• My flesh isn’t in charge of this decision
• Be where your feet are

References;

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Beholding by Strahan Coleman 

Finding Dory

#lightinyourcorner #Jesus #love #reminders #submission #faith 

Got Any Last Words?

What would you tell people if you knew you were going to die soon? When you looked at the world and the people around you, what would you want your loved ones to know? Peter knew his time to die was soon and so he wrote a letter, the letter we know as 2nd Peter.

Songs and stories have been written with this premise–what you would do if you knew you were going to die–but they don’t hit quite the same notes as Peter. His message, his encouragement, his warnings–all of it was for the believers of his time. And yet, it really speaks to the church today. 

We have a God who wants us to know the truth about Him. Let’s take some time to talk about that.

ALSO:

• What to do when not all experts agree
• The spiritual diet of a “basic” Christian
• He wants us to want to know Him
• Sometimes even the smart people don’t know
• Breaking down viewpoints on anger

#truth #lightinyourcorner #Jesus #knowingGod #scripture

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood 

Hey, Friends! We are back to close out our discussion on 1st Peter. And today we talk about where we put our focus. 

Where do we look when we are suffering? Where do we look when we are tempted?

Where do we look when our fears won’t let us go?

Peter tells us to look up, to look to Jesus. And then he tells us to look out, to love our neighbor. 

But how do we do that? What does that look like? We are so glad you asked!

ALSO:

• Volunteering to be locked up
• Blessing people into irrelevance 
• The blessing of vulnerability 
• Things we do to calm our anxieties
• Relationships built on trust v. rules 

References:

Andy Stanley–Guardrails Sermon Series

@andystanley

“Gentle and Lowly” by Dane Ortlund

@heretohelppod

“The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers” by Maxwell King

Movie: It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood 

Scripture: 1 Peter 4 & 5

#lightinyourcorner #loveyourneighbor #misterrogers #kindness #Jesus #suffering

Getting Real: Your Submission is Your Witness

Sometimes we think things would be easier if God would just show us the blueprint for a good life. God, please tell me what to do to follow You with minimal drawbacks and maximum adventure. What if He did that? And what if the template was the life of Jesus–His submission to His Father and then His submission to others? What if God just wanted you to trust Him enough to submit to the people around you?

I think you know the answer to that, but even if you don’t, join us for our discussion about 1st Peter 3! We talk about this and a lot more.

ALSO:

• In this moment, is it important for me to be right?
• Following Sarah’s example
• Peace-makers, peacekeepers, and peace-pursuers 
• The gift of baptism
• Staying out of the comments section
• Different types of worshippers

#submission #Jesus #light #lightinyourcorner #HolySpirit #baptism #marriage #trust #faith 

References: Chronicles of Narnia, Twisters, A Well-Behaved Woman, Journey to Impossible Places, The Olympics, Remarkably Bright Creatures

Built Different: How Our Identities Impact Our Communities 

What do we do with rejection? What’s our answer when our hearts ask, “Am I ok?” We all deal with some form of insecurity, especially as we live in a world that pushes viewpoints contrary to God’s word. So what do we do? How do you live differently in a society that says, “You aren’t enough unless you do this…unless you own that?” And how do we handle disagreements in a way that honors God and the identity He has given us as His own children? 

Peter’s wisdom reminds us of this: you are chosen and precious. Before we tackle any of those heavy questions, let’s just start there. 

ALSO:

• A unique insight God gives mothers
• Being safe places for others
• God wants to be close to us
• How you disagree can be your greatest witness
• Separating identity from opinions

References:

1 Peter 2

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

#forgiveness #chosen #precious #livingstones #jesus #love #neighbors #light #lightinyourcorner

What’s So Good About the Good News? An Interview with Greg and Susan Finke

Hey, friends! Have we got a show for you today! We were blessed to have a conversation with our good friends, and mission mentors, Greg and Susan Finke. We talked about loving our neighbors so that they actually know they are being loved, telling our stories, and taking time to be curious about the people around us. We hope you enjoy, and are inspired by, this jam-packed episode. And if you are interested in learning more about Greg and Susan's organization, Dwelling 1:14, you can find out more at dwelling114.org.

ALSO: 

• Where does our love come from?
• “It’s called ‘training’”
• Fruits of being pro-neighborhood, pro-love, and pro-service
• Living with hope
• You have to know your story

#faith #joiningjesus #joiningjesusonhismission #jesus #love #loveyourneighbor #whatsyourstory 

References:

• 1 Peter 3:15-16
• Dwelling 1:14 (@dwelling114)
• New2Knox Instagram Handle

Where Do I Start?

It’s been a minute, but we are back! And we are in 1st Peter as we discuss our starting point for walking as God’s people in the midst of a culture that doesn’t see things the way we see them. 

How do we navigate suffering? How do we love the people around us, especially when they don’t meet our expectations? How do we keep our focus on the important things? Peter gives us direction. Then we take it and run with it. But you are used to that by now. We pray it sheds some light into your corner, friends!

ALSO:

• We want to do a women’s retreat! Let us know if you are interested!
• Jesus sees your faith
• Loving people for who they are
• Walking our paths with Jesus
• We have something to look forward to
• Crazy ultra-runner perspectives
• Having fun showing love

References:

Bible: 1 Peter 1

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Horizon by Kevin Kostner

Worst Case Scenario game

The Bear

#jesus #1stpeter #gentleandlowly #faith #heaven #love #joy #salvation #hope #livinghope #thebear

Stories, Social Media, and The Good Shepherd: A Chat with Monica and Lauren


Hey, friends! Last episode we finished our series on The Lord’s Prayer, and today we really thought we would dive into 1st Peter 1. However, we didn’t quite get there. But that’s ok because we were super busy talking about other important things. So if you are looking for an episode that dives into the complexities of rejoicing in suffering and the hope of our inheritance, you are going to have to wait until next time.

Today we will be talking about other things like: kids and the use of smartphones and social media, the role of dads, praying for future influences in our kids’ lives, our issues with streaks, tennis ball retribution and some lovely movies. Whatever you are up to right now, we are here to keep you company and provide a little light along the way!

 ALSO:

• The gift of sharing stories and memories
• The nutritional side to faith
• “Good job, young dads!”
• The Good Shepherd and His gift of undershepherds
• Forcing our kids to play with us
• Raising kids with independence 
• The Holy Spirit looks good on Peter

#GoodShepherd #light #lightinyourcorner 

References:

John 10

@hubermanlab 

@ifmovie

We see it depicted all around us, sometimes in the form of a bright red apple, a devil on the shoulder, or a group of young, attractive singles stranded on an island. But what does temptation really look like? And how can we live out the prayer, “lead us not into temptation,” when it feels like temptation is embedded in so many of the decisions we make every day?

We talk about that and so much more in today’s episode. We see how God delivers us from evil and opens our eyes not only to how we can avoid temptation but also to how we can follow Him in a better way. The name of the game isn’t just behavior modification, it is heart transformation. And no one can transform a heart like God.

ALSO:

• We are actually “those people”
• Facing temptation in community
• Getting high on attention
• How Jesus approached and answered His temptations 
• Grumbling v. Asking
• Not trying to discern motives
• Outgrowing temptations
• What do our fears reveal about our temptations?

Texts: 

Matthew 6:13 

Matthew 4–Temptations of Jesus

1 Corinthians 10:12-14

#lightinyourcorner #leadusnotintotemptation #deliverusfromevil #jesus #faith #light #salvation

Media:
Beach Hunters (TV Show on HGTV)
Hacks (TV Show on HBO Max)

Bringing Things Into the Light

Hey, everyone! We are back in the Lord’s Prayer today looking at a section that might cause us to pause. After all, if we are asking God to forgive us like we forgive others, doesn't that put us on the hook to, you know, forgive? 

We have a lot to unpack today. Like how confession really is good for the soul. And how confession and forgiveness both play a vital role in God’s kingdom on earth.  

So how do we hand over our guilt and grievances to God and trust that He will make all things right in His own time? This prayer is a really good place to start. It’s time to bring some things into the light.

ALSO:

• Dogs extending God’s comfort
• Monica’s rebellion against tracking and analytics
• Talking to God at 2 a.m.
• “What are they confessing?”
• Love = Steering people toward God
• Prisons of our own making

Bible.org article: https://bible.org/article/issue-forgiveness-sermon-mount

@officeladiespod

@misscollege

Bible references:

Matthew 6:12, 14-15

1 John 3:4-7

1 John 5:18

Romans 7:14-25

Romans 8:7

1 Corinthians 15:50

Galatians 5:17

John 3:6

Romans 1:19

Luke 6:37-38

#lightinyourcorner #light #lordsprayer #confession #forgiveness