Spark Cast

Welcome to our series on Exodus. While filled with amazing and fantastical features, it is possible to miss the greater story, of which we are invited to participate. Through good study, history, and a recognition that these stories are connected to a much larger story, we will begin to see the themes of justice, liberation, and formation live out in our lives in new and fresh ways. Join us for this series on Exodus.

40% of Americans make New Year's Resolutions. 8% of those that do actually keep them. This common cultural activity is illustrative of something deeper about our humanity, a self-centeredness that is reflected, not just in popular psychology books, but in the ancient work of Ecclesiastes. Through this talk, Pastor Kevin encourages us to not just make resolutions, but rather to also make remembrances, to "take note" of God throughout the entire past year. And as we do, we are exhorted to turn our inward focus upward and outward, toward God and others.

Live reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Spark Edition)" set to the music of Michael W. Smith's Overture/O Come All Ye Faithful, 1989.

Mystery is commonly thought of as a "problem" to be solved. Biblical mystery, however, is about awe, wonder, and amazement. Through the stories we read in the Bible, we see that mystery is the redemptive response to power, the path to discovery, and the way to worship. Let us together trust the mystery.

Jesus calming of the storm in Mark 4 is reminiscent of the story of Jonah. Through both of these stories we see the presence of God in the midst of storms. Let us together hear the words of Jesus, "Peace, be still," through the storms in our lives.

In addition to a few reminders of what this series is about, in this teaching we take a look at what role sleep has played in the Biblical narrative. Through the stories of Adam, Abraham, Jonah, Joseph, and even Jesus, we see sleep as a beautiful metaphorical symbol and activity of refreshment, renewal, and redemption. Daily we are given the gift of sleep. Daily we are reminded to refresh, renew, and redeem, not just our bodies, but our souls as well.

Pastor Mark Arevalo takes us on a musical journey to illustrate the many ways in which we discover God. If we pause, reflect, consider, and listen carefully, perhaps we will hear the song that God is playing in this universe, and find our salvation, hope, healing, and rest, in joining in the tune.

Too often we think of rest as "self-care." In this message, Pastor Danielle exhorts us to think bigger. Not that self-care is unimportant, but that rest comes through exhaustive work. In other words, it is possible to be really tired, yet, because we have lived out a calling of service, we are "good" and tired. May we never lose our connection to our purpose, which is to do good works, and serve the other.

This evening, our special guest, Mark Yaconelli, shares stories that illustrate and illuminate how the greatest commandment in Mark 12 lives and breathes today. May we see the other, listen to their souls, and allow our hearts to be moved to action.

Session 5 of Spark's Spiritual Retreat with Mark Yaconelli, Healing Our Image of God and Ourselves