This week, as we celebrate America's 250th Birthday, we celebrate our freedom as Americans, but most importantly, our freedom in Christ.

The Bible contains many references to the Potter and clay, but beyond simply shaping us, we can trust Him, knowing He can even mend our broken pieces.

This week, our summer adventures take us close to the heart of Pigeon Forge, to step back into time to learn the art of BlackSmithing. Through this process, Pastor Brent and His son Mason experienced firsthand how a piece of metal can be transformed from one purpose to another, becoming something new through the guidance of a skilled blacksmith.

When you hear the word "bees," what comes to mind? For many of us, it's fear, danger, or the memory of a painful sting. But if we look a little closer, there's more to a bee than its stinger. These tiny insects achieve extraordinary things through hard work, unity, and unwavering purpose. In fact, if we learned to think more like a bee, we might find ourselves accomplishing things we once thought were impossible.

We all face times in life when we feel we are standing on the edge of a cliff, wondering whether the rope will keep us safe. No matter how many times you examine the rope and test the equipment, eventually you have to trust and take the first step.

Rhythm in life can lead to blessing or disaster, and where we end up is determined by the daily decisions we make on a consistent basis.

As we remember Memorial Day, we revisit a series called "Gone But Not Forgotten" and talk about Honor, a virtue that seems rare today, yet it is critical to our spiritual lives and our witness.

Modern society is obsessed with making life faster, easier, automated, and more comfortable. While technology and modern conveniences can certainly be blessings, there is also a hidden danger within comfort. If we are not careful, our relentless pursuit of ease and convenience can slowly weaken our spiritual hunger, dull our dependence on God, and ultimately erode the strength of both our personal faith and the church as a whole.

The phrase "the world is an ugly place" is often said, but what does it really mean? We feel the need to compete with those around us, to fight for significance, but God's word clearly tells us how special and beautiful we all are.

We live in a world of amazing technology, and we can witness almost anything anywhere in real time. We can stream movies and music into the palm of our hand, with the tap of a finger to order almost anything, and sometimes have that item delivered the same day. The downside to this gift we've been given these conveniences can easily become overwhelming, and before we realize it, it's simply noise and distraction that keeps us from the truly important things. The question is, how do we clear some of this noise, and does it even matter?