As much as we understand that our faith is nuanced and even mysterious, it seems there's a part in all of us that are drawn to religious prescriptions... Formulas, really.

"If I pray this prayer of Jabez, exactly as it's been laid out..."

"If I read my Bible, say my prayers and take my vitamins..."

"If I give 10$ God's gotta bless me..."

Could it be part of the reason that some have become disillusioned with their faith? At some point they "Asked for anything in Jesus name" and it didn't happen as they hoped.

Even with pure intentions, sometimes Christians can turn Scripture into little more than... platitudes.

Motivational lingo

Bumper sticker theology

memes

Christian-ese

T-Shirt slogans

Often it happens when we cherry-pick inspiring sounding verses out of context.

The danger is that when these feel-good formulas don't deliver like we think they should, it leaves many of us disillusioned.

But what if we found out these same verses in their proper Biblical context actually offer more nuance, depth and hope than their superficial first reading?

Join us for a summer of bringing clarity to clichés

Even with pure intentions, sometimes Christians can turn Scripture into little more than... platitudes.

Motivational lingo

Bumper sticker theology

memes

Christian-ese

T-Shirt slogans

Often it happens when we cherry-pick inspiring sounding verses out of context.

The danger is that when these feel-good formulas don't deliver like we think they should, it leaves many of us disillusioned.

But what if we found out these same verses in their proper Biblical context actually offer more nuance, depth and hope than their superficial first reading?

Join us for a summer of bringing clarity to clichés

We get into part 8 of our series "That Sinking Feeling"

We have all experienced loss in some way.

Death of loved ones

Loss of jobs

Loss of pets

Loss of relationship and more

Loss is unavoidable. So what do we do when grief comes to stay?

Is it possible that pain and grief are not the enemy, but the remedy?

Though painful and uncomfortable, maybe grief can be a great teacher.

To not let the grief swallow us, and to cope with the pain that life can throw our way, we look to God and his promises. We do not have to stay stuck in the pain that comes with loss, because through Jesus we have hope.

We get into part 7 of our series "That Sinking Feeling"

Behaviour on airplanes that looks like something out of a UFC cage fight?

Nurses have to be outfitted with panic buttons

Social media trolling that has no bottom.

A new mass murder every week.

Even a physical assault during the presentation of an Oscar.

What is wrong with people these days?

If you find yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. Something really has changed with the way a lot of people are acting in the last couple of years. The tension is thick in the air.

Every topic it seems... every conversation is a potential landmine of offence and disagreement.

It inundated our families and our churches too.

This is not new to humanity and it turns out Jesus and Scripture as a whole has such helpful and practical wisdom on how to have difficult conversations and live without the heavy weight of relational tension hanging on you.

We get into part 6 of our series "That Sinking Feeling"

A lot of folks are advised to "Fake it 'till you make it"

The only problem is they feel like they're continually "fakin' it" (in some area of their life) without ever "makin' it".

Whether it's vocationally, relationally, financially, or even spiritually there is a feeling of deep inadequacy among so many people; A feeling that they'll soon be exposed for the phony they are.

Psychologists call this "impostor syndrome" and recent studies report it is a feeling that is on the rise in our culture.

It may be a relatively new diagnostic term but it's really a timeless condition of the human experience that can be seen in stories of imperfect saints throughout Scripture, and not surprisingly God has something to say about it (and it may just change your life!)

Also...

* "unplugged" live worship

* An "open mic" opportunity

* A little peek into Pastor Jonathan's own feelings of "impostor syndrome"

If you’re new-ish to our community we’d love to welcome you personally. Let us know you’re watching by clicking here

www.newmarketalliance.ca/guest

Don’t want to miss any NAC news? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter

www.newmarketalliance.ca/updates

We get into part 5 of our series "That Sinking Feeling"

Some of us have been deeply and devastatingly betrayed. It's painful and has the potential to harden our hearts.

Our instinct is to respond with bitterness. Respond with BLAME. Perhaps worst of all, to live out of a "Victim identity".

God has a much better narrative for us to live out... one where we are not defined by our circumstances... where we are not victims but VICTORS.

Our guest speaker is part of our NAC family and has had to wrestle with these very things in a very personal way as unfair circumstances and betrayal brought him to a decision;

Will I allow this to make me BITTER or BETTER?

Also...

* Great Live Worship with Glenn and the team

* Welcoming new NAC members into the "family"

* A new song that will really minister to you

* Forest Gump (???)

* Great ministry for the kids

If you’re new-ish to our community we’d love to welcome you personally. Let us know you’re watching by clicking here

www.newmarketalliance.ca/guest

Don’t want to miss any NAC news? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter

www.newmarketalliance.ca/updates

How are you doing these days?

Really. How are you REALLY doing?

Do you sense something going on with people?

Do they seem angrier? More fearful, more anxious, more depressed? Are you a people pleaser? Do you fear others not liking you?

What's going on?

God has given us the GIFT of an array of powerful emotions. Jesus Himself experienced all of them (and managed not to sin).

Together we can learn to only value one opinion, that of Jesus, so that we might be free of fear.

In what seems like the most emotionally volatile time in a generation, there are some practical things we can do and some uniquely spiritual things we can do to ensure we healthily manage our emotions instead of our emotions managing US!

Is this the first "sinking feeling" ever recorded?

(See the story of Adam and Eve recorded in Genesis 3)

One of the first things recorded about this first couple is that they were UNASHAMED, and just after they sinned, they immediately hid from God.

Shame always makes us hide, one way or another.

Often stemming from childhood messages, things done to us or things we've done to others... or accusations from our spiritual accuser, I'd go as far to say that shame might be the strongest unhealthy driver in most people's life and it's fuelled by deep-rooted inadequacy.

There is good news though: Whether God chooses to heal you instantly or tomorrow is the first step of your healing, we believe Jesus wants to set you free from the prison of shame.

We get into part 2 of our series "That Sinking Feeling"

Since COVID especially, the rise of people feeling overwhelming anxiety has statistically skyrocketed. Interestingly, working moms are feeling these effects most acutely.

It's a complex issue that may have its roots in physiology, psychology, trauma, emotions, circumstances, AND our Spirit! We don't take this topic lightly or tritely. We know a half-hour may only scratch the service but did you know Jesus Himself faced overwhelming anxiety and his responses may show us a way forward