Christmas brings a desperation to many as the search for the perfect gift that will bring joy to the hearts of their recipients is embarked upon. The saddest news is that the perfect Christmas present has already been wrapped and delivered to us and bringing joy to the world. Yet many will still search for joy. But joy is here. Christ has come!

Have you ever experienced stress during the Christmas season? I'm sure we all have at some point and time. What we would give to experience peace! The angles proclaimed "Peace to you!" at the announcement of Christ's birth. Join me this episode as we explore how we can experience peace this Christmas.

Have you every used the term NO PAIN, NO GAIN? Have you every used that phrase in your personal relationship with Christ? A snapshot at Paul’s life reveals that he lived NO PAIN, NO GAIN to the end. Join me as we look at the desires that filled his life that brought him through the PAIN in order to GAIN Christ.

We have encounters with people all the time, but only special encounters have the ability to change our lives in differing ways. Saul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus was an encounter like no other that radically changed his life. What takeaways from Saul’s encounter should we take notice of?

Christianity can be a lot like politics - looking through all the information to find the real truth. Sometimes there are those who look good and are smooth talkers with convincing words, but are they telling the truth. Paul writes to the Philippians to help them deal with this difficulty of discernment and those same words are just as applicable to us today.

I wanted to take this opportunity to share a little about me and the journey that has taken place to bring me and my family to be at Charrette Church.

A brief welcome to those tuning in (for the first time). This is all new, but hopefully beneficial to me and you, as well. Thanks for tuning in to Minutes with Mike.

Does it cost you anything to serve in your church - for the sake of the cross? Should it?

Sometimes serving in the church can have its ups and downs, but believers need understand the importance and rewards of serving WITH each other. Paul provides us a perfect example of what this looks like.

Salvation is a process that does not stop at the point of regeneration (accepting Christ as Lord & Savior). That process continues through sanctification - the point where believers "work it out." Paul helps clarify the process of working out our salvation.