Living with Hope

In this episode Pastor Kirk talks with two friends about two questions he's been repeatedly asked about the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Pastor Shauna Archer and Al Fedorak join Kirk to talk about about how to live with hope in light of what's happening in Ukraine.

Well this is the final in many ways. I am not going to be putting out weekly episodes for a bit (taking a break for my mental health).

In this episode I share 4 tips of how I take care of my mental health and I share a rough poem that I wrote about a backpack. What!?! May God grant you peace in your journey through life and may your mind find rest in the knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ.

How do we have a sound mind and honestly what does that even mean? How do we reconcile struggles within ourselves with Jesus victory? I am not sure if I really answer these questions to an acceptable level but I try. Having a sound mind is not the goal of Jesus sacrifice but it is something benefited to us. Even if we don't fully experience it now Wholeness is ours in Christ Jesus. So let's rap up walking through Philippians 4:4-9.

What comes to your mind when you think about God? or about yourself? This week let's talk about who God is revealed to be in Jesus Christ and who we are in His sight. How we think about God impacts how we think about ourselves and if we can cling to the sure foundation of who we are in Christ and who we are because of Jesus resurrection. Our mental health may impact how we view ourselves in the moment but God is unshakable in His view of His adopted children. So let's chat about this.

Focal Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Through Jesus resurrection we have been given peace with God as a gift of grace. How does this impact our everyday life and what does it mean to have peace with God if I don't have peace within my own mind? Tough questions and I am not sure that I have the answers for you. But, come and let's chat about my experience of discovering the "peace of God that surpasses all understanding" in my journey with depression and the cross.

Focal Scripture: Philippians 4:7

How do we confront loneliness as a Christian? Because of the Resurrection Jesus is always with us and we have the indwelling of Holy Spirit who is our encourager. Let's Chat about the impact of loneliness on our mental health and how prayer is a gift for aiding in developing a sound mind grounded in Jesus.

Focus Scripture: Philippians 4:6

Hey Welcome Back. So last week we talked about rejoicing in our identity that Christ has given to us and how this has helped me when I have struggled with a low view of myself in my depression. Christ is merciful to us and has new mercies each day. In fact his mercies meet us in our own journeys and there is not one size fits all to how Christ ministers to us. There is one Salvation, Spirit, Baptism, Communion and Body (Church) but the Holy Spirit walks along with us and ministers in us uniquely and compassionately. And it is a gentle care that we experience. So what does it mean to live Gently? That is the focus of todays podcast. How can we be gentle to others and ourselves as we care for mental health.

Scripture Focus Philippians 4:5

Hey All, We are going to spend a few weeks in Philippians 4:4-9 chatting about having a sound mind. I have had a history of dealing with depression and I thought it would be healthy to chat about my views on being a Christian who struggles in the mental health department of life. So come along for a little ride through my mind, my past and how Christ is redeeming me in light of His grand mercies. Also you may learn a little about how to take care of your own mental health and how we can live victorious in amongst our weaknesses.

Scripture Focus on Philippians 4:4

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! What does it mean to live as a person of Easter? Did you know that the celebration of Easter stretches for 40 days to Ascension Sunday? We are to be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ for a long time. In fact we can begin to live as people of the resurrection in everyday life. Living in light of the Resurrection.

This Podcast is going to be the set up for the next series that we will be heading into. Next week I will be sharing a bit of my journey of mental health in light of Jesus resurrection. 

Ever think about some of the traditions that you do during the Easter season? Did you know that cleaning your house or spring cleaning is actually a tangible practice that is connected to Easter? Some of the things that we do during this time are less intentional than putting up Christmas lights or wrapping presents for under the Christmas tree. But we can still develop intentional rhythms of preparation and celebration around Easter.