Rediscovering Faith

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Is God still in control—even when the world feels broken?

In this episode of Rediscovering Faith, Pastor Evan Ryder explores the beloved hymn “This Is My Father’s World”, written by Maltbie D. Babcock. With its simple yet powerful declaration, this hymn reminds us that even in the midst of chaos, beauty, and brokenness—this world still belongs to God.

Drawing from Psalm 19:1 and Colossians 1:17, this episode unpacks how creation reveals God’s presence, how we can remain grounded in His sovereignty, and why hope is still possible even when “the wrong seems oft so strong.”

In a world filled with uncertainty, this conversation offers a steady reminder: God has not stepped away. He is still present. He is still at work. And He is still holding everything together.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world—or simply need to be reminded of God’s nearness—this episode will help you slow down, look again, and rediscover the truth that has always been there.

Take a moment, breathe, and rediscover what faith can truly mean in your life.

Send us your questions and reflections!

What is shaping the way you see your life?

In this episode of Rediscovering Faith, Pastor Evan Ryder explores the ancient hymn “Be Thou My Vision”, a prayer that has been spoken by believers for over a thousand years. Rooted in early Irish Christianity and later translated by Mary Byrne, this hymn invites us to place God at the very center of our lives—not just as a part of our story, but as the One who shapes how we see everything.

In a world filled with competing voices—success, approval, comfort, and achievement—this hymn calls us back to a deeper truth: whatever sits at the center of your life becomes your vision for everything else.

Drawing from Philippians 4:8 and Philippians 3:8, this episode explores how our thoughts, desires, and focus are being formed every day—and how placing God at the center brings clarity, purpose, and peace.

If you’ve felt distracted, overwhelmed, or pulled in different directions, this episode offers a powerful, prayerful invitation: allow God to reshape your vision—and in doing so, reshape your life.

Take a moment, breathe, and rediscover what faith can truly mean in your life.

Send us your questions and reflections!

What are you focusing on—and how is it shaping your life?

In this episode of Rediscovering Faith, Pastor Evan Ryder explores the timeless hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”, written by Helen H. Lemmel. With its simple yet powerful message, this hymn invites us to re-center our attention on Christ and discover how that focus transforms everything else.

In a world filled with distraction, anxiety, and constant noise, where we fix our eyes matters more than ever. What we focus on shapes how we see—and how we see shapes how we live. This episode unpacks the spiritual significance of attention and what it means to truly “look full in His wonderful face.”

Drawing from Hebrews 12:2, we explore how fixing our eyes on Jesus brings clarity, steadiness, and hope—even when life feels overwhelming or uncertain.

If you’ve felt distracted, anxious, or pulled in too many directions, this episode offers a simple but powerful invitation: turn your eyes back to Jesus—and let His presence reshape your perspective.

Take a moment, breathe, and rediscover what faith can truly mean in your life.

Send us your questions and reflections!

What happens when the grace of God becomes more than an idea—and begins to transform your life?

In this episode of Rediscovering Faith, Pastor Evan Ryder explores the powerful hymn “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”, written by Charles Wesley during the early days of the Methodist revival. Born out of his personal conversion experience, this hymn captures the overwhelming response of a heart changed by Jesus—where one voice no longer feels like enough to express His praise.

Through the rich theology of this hymn, we’re reminded that the gospel is not just about forgiveness—it’s about freedom. As Wesley writes, “He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free.” This episode unpacks what it means to live in that freedom today and how a transformed heart naturally leads to a life of praise.

Drawing from Romans 6:6 and Luke 6:45, this conversation invites you to rediscover the depth of God’s grace and consider how it is shaping your life right now.

If your faith has felt routine… if your praise has felt quiet… or if you simply need to remember what Jesus has done for you—this episode will help you reconnect with the joy, freedom, and overflow of a life transformed by Christ.

Take a moment, breathe, and rediscover what faith can truly mean in your life.

Send us your questions and reflections!

What does it really mean to trust God…when life doesn’t make sense?

In this episode of Rediscovering Faith, Pastor Evan Ryder explores the beloved hymn “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” and the powerful story behind it. Written by Louisa M. R. Stead after experiencing deep personal loss, this hymn is not rooted in comfort—but in a faith that endures through uncertainty, grief, and unanswered questions.

Through the simple yet profound words of this hymn, we are invited to rediscover what it means to trust Jesus—not when everything is clear, but when clarity is absent. What does it look like to “just” take Him at His word? What does it mean to rest on His promises when life feels unstable?

Drawing from Proverbs 3:5–6 and 2 Corinthians 5:7, this episode unpacks how trust is not built on understanding, but on the unchanging character of God. You’ll be encouraged to move beyond surface-level faith and into a deeper, lived trust—one that is formed step by step, moment by moment.

If you’re walking through uncertainty, carrying something heavy, or simply longing to grow in your faith, this episode will remind you that even when life doesn’t make sense…God still does.

Take a moment, breathe, and rediscover what it means to trust Him.

Send us your questions and reflections!

What will you do with the love of God?

After exploring the full story of Scripture—Creation, Brokenness, and Restoration—and contrasting two foundational views of God, this final episode of Alive in Love brings everything together with one central question:

Will you allow God’s love to transform you?

Throughout this series, we’ve seen how our foundation shapes the way we live.

A foundation built on control can lead to:

•  Passivity instead of responsibility 
•  Apathy instead of mission 
•  Anxiety instead of freedom 

But a foundation built on love changes everything.

It calls us into:

•  Responsibility as active participants in relationship with God 
•  Action and mission as we embody His love to the world 
•  Freedom as we live in a secure, ongoing relationship rooted in grace 

In this episode, we move beyond understanding and into response. Because love is not something we simply believe—it’s something we step into.

You are not just saved from something.
You are saved for something.

For relationship.
 For mission.
 For transformation.

This is an invitation to surrender—not to control, but to love. To say yes to a daily, ongoing relationship with God that reshapes how you live, love, and lead.

The question is no longer what is your foundation?

The question is: will you build your life on love?

Send us your questions and reflections!

Have you ever felt like you might be getting it wrong with God?

Like you missed His will… made the wrong decision… or aren’t even sure if you’re truly saved?

In this episode of Alive in Love, we confront one of the most common—but rarely talked about—realities of faith: spiritual anxiety.

Building on the foundation of Scripture’s story—Creation, Brokenness, and Restoration—we explore how two different views of God lead to two very different lives:

•  A life of anxiety rooted in fear, uncertainty, and constant second-guessing 
•  A life of freedom rooted in relationship, trust, and the love of God 

If God is primarily seen as a cosmic controller or distant judge, it’s easy to feel like everything depends on getting it right—and that one wrong move could derail your relationship with Him.

But if God is love (1 John 4), then everything changes.

Love doesn’t create fear—it invites relationship.
 Love doesn’t trap you in uncertainty—it walks with you.
 Love doesn’t push you away—it continually calls you back.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

•  Why spiritual anxiety often reveals a deeper foundation issue 
•  How God’s story consistently shows Him pursuing, not rejecting 
•  What it looks like to live in daily, ongoing relationship with God 
•  How to move from fear-driven faith into freedom rooted in love 

You are not invited into a fragile relationship with God—you are invited into a secure, ongoing, love-filled one.

The question is: are you living in anxiety… or in freedom?

Send us your questions and reflections!

What if salvation isn’t the end of the story—but the beginning of your purpose?

In this episode, we confront a quiet but dangerous drift many believers experience: apathy. It doesn’t arrive loudly—it whispers. “Someone else will do it.” “God’s in control anyway.” “It doesn’t really matter what I do.”

But what if that mindset is rooted in a misunderstanding of who God is?

Building on the foundation that God is love, this episode contrasts a life of apathy with a life of action and mission. Through the sweeping story of Scripture—from Abraham to Jesus—you’ll see a consistent pattern: God doesn’t just act for people—He invites people to act with Him.

Salvation isn’t just about being saved from something.
It’s about being saved to something.

To love.
 To relationship.
 To purpose.
 To mission.

You are not just a recipient of grace—you are a carrier of it. Not a spectator, but a participant in God’s ongoing work of restoring the world.

This episode will challenge you to:

•  Rethink what salvation truly means 
•  Recognize where apathy may be taking root 
•  Embrace your role in God’s mission right now 
•  Begin living with intentional love in everyday moments 

Because mission isn’t just something you go on—it’s a way you live.

So the question is:
 Where have you been waiting for “somebody” to act… when God might be inviting you?

This is your invitation to step out of apathy and into a life of purpose, participation, and love in action.

Send us your questions and reflections!

Do your choices actually matter… or is everything already decided?

In this episode of Alive in Love, we explore how your understanding of God shapes the way you live—especially when it comes to responsibility.

Building on the larger story of Scripture—Creation, Brokenness, and Restoration—we contrast two foundational views of God:

•  God as a cosmic controller who determines every outcome 
•  God as love, who invites us into relationship and partnership 

While both perspectives may sound biblical, they lead to very different lives.

If God is primarily seen as controlling everything, it can quietly lead to a life of absolved responsibility—where our choices feel secondary, our actions feel unnecessary, and we drift into passivity.

But if God is love, then relationship becomes central—and relationship always involves response. That means our choices matter. Our actions matter. Our lives carry real weight.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

•  Why responsibility is essential to a relational understanding of God 
•  How Scripture consistently invites participation, not passivity 
•  What it looks like to move from being a passive observer to an active partner with God 

This isn’t about pressure or performance—it’s about responding to love with love.

So the question is: are you living like your choices matter?

Because the foundation you build on will shape the life you live.

Send us your questions and reflections!

What story are you building your life on?

In this episode of Alive in Love, we step back and look at the big picture of Scripture—not as disconnected verses or theological systems, but as one unified story that reveals the heart of God.

Too often, we build our understanding of God on isolated ideas or prooftexts. But if foundations matter, then we need a foundation that takes into account the entire witness of Scripture.

In this episode, we explore the three-part narrative that runs from beginning to end:

Creation – A world formed in love, where humanity lives in perfect relationship with God, one another, and creation itself. This is where the story begins—not with sin, but with love.

Brokenness – The entrance of sin, not just as rule-breaking, but as relationship-breaking. Trust is fractured. Shame enters. Humanity hides. The harmony of creation begins to unravel.

Restoration – God’s relentless pursuit to restore what was broken. From Abraham to Moses to Israel—and ultimately through Jesus—God calls people back into relationship, not just for their sake, but so they can become a blessing to the world.

This episode reframes how we understand sin, salvation, and the nature of God. If sin is broken relationship, then salvation is restored relationship. If God’s story begins in love, then everything else must be understood through that lens.

This is more than theology—it’s the foundation that shapes how we live, how we see God, and how we respond to His invitation.

Are you building your life on the full story God is telling?

Listen in and begin to see Scripture—and your faith—through the lens of love.