The parable Jesus told wasn't just a nice story about wine-making practices in ancient times; it was a powerful illustration of how God works in our lives and what He expects from us as His followers. We’ll give some practical thoughts about what this means for your life. 

Remember, God doesn't just pour new wine into your life. He makes you into a new wineskin, flexible and expandable, ready to accommodate all the good things He wants to do in and through you. That's the miracle of transformation.

Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.

Is God doing a healing work in your life emotionally, relationally, spiritually, or even physically?

When we remain in our connection to Jesus, His spirit in us produces the power to face our circumstances.

Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.

There are two kinds of people seen in church: those who have transformed a lot and those who have barely transformed at all.

What’s the major differentiating factor between those two kinds of people? The word YES. 

We were all really failures at one time or another, but failure is not fatal. But even when we fail, God loves us and shows up for us.

Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.

We’ll continue to look at the parable of the wineskins from Luke. We’ll review the context of when this parable was told.

Do you prefer the old way of doing things when God is doing something new? Do you resist situations he is calling you into simply because you don’t like being put in those kinds of situations?

Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.

Sometimes we’re not as prepared as we think when God does something new. New spiritual goals require new ways of pursuing them.

Jesus explained in Luke that new wine in old wineskins could lead to a mess. This week, we’ll explore the topic of being ready and empowered to act when God does something new. 

Have you been feeling a little insecure at changes that may be coming your way? Does it seem like God is not showing up in the same way as he did in another point of transition in your life?

Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.

From the archives - it’s the best of “The Best Way To Live” podcast - summer edition:

Romans 3:23 says, “ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” God has extended an outrageous invitation of life and grace, but He’s waiting for each of us to accept it. In today’s episode, Gene clearly lays out the path to living a life of true freedom. 

Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.

From the archives - it’s the best of “The Best Way To Live” podcast - summer edition:

Many of us are serious about following Jesus but still have bridges back to our old lives that need to be destroyed. When you have sin in your life, it blocks you from hearing what God wants to say to you and prevents you from experiencing true freedom.

Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.

From the archives - it’s the best of “The Best Way To Live” podcast - summer edition:

It is easy for Christians to fall for the myth that says religious activity equals personal transformation. True freedom isn’t found by just going through the religious motions. James 1:22 challenges us by saying, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS.”

Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.

From the archives - it’s the best of “The Best Way To Live” podcast - summer edition:

Christianity isn’t just a good way to die, but it’s the best way to live. While we fear God is going to take away our freedom and make our lives miserable, Jesus painted quite a different picture. Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.

From the archives - it’s the best of “The Best Way To Live” podcast - summer edition:

Since the Garden of Eden human beings have been saying, “Don’t mess with my FREEDOM.” The reality is that FEAR of God’s law prevents many from experiencing the best way to live -- fear that it will restrict us from our desires rather than set us free. 

In this week’s podcast series, Gene shares the best path to freedom, a freedom that deep down, we all long for.

Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.