One of the most emotionally-provoking and divisive issues in present-day America is the topic of immigration. This week guest speaker Chuck Redfern considered what Scripture has to say about this subject. All of us need to ask ourselves: which face are we presenting to the world? The face of anger and rage? Or the face of grace?

This week guest preacher Steve Crosby reminded us that our lives as followers of Jesus are supposed to be characterized by HOPE. But what do we do when we (or those we love) are afflicted by mental conditions that make it especially hard to hope? Steve addressed this difficult question, speaking from both Scripture and personal experience.

For the first several chapters of Daniel, it's hard to tell whether King Nebuchadnezzar is a villain or an ally. This week we looked at the last part of Nebuchadnezzar's story. Nebuchadnezzar loses his mind. When we understand why, there's an important lesson for all of us.

n Daniel chapter 3, three men are faced with a choice: bow down to a false God, or get thrown into a furnace. They refuse to bow down. The faith they display should challenge us to ask ourselves: is my faith merely a way of gaining God's favor so that I can live a long and comfortable life? Or is it something deeper than that?

This week we started a new series on the story of Daniel. Daniel was an exile in a foreign land, and - in a sense - we are, too. As followers of Christ, our true citizenship is not in any earthly kingdom, but in Heaven. The story of Daniel gives us an example of what it looks like to remain faithful in our own exile.

On the surface, the Book of Ruth is a sweet story about a loyal daughter-in-law and a reversal of fortune for her and her mother-in-law. But when we understand the larger story it's a part of, it's even more beautiful.

Although the Teacher of Ecclesiastes is disillusioned with many things, he does not recommend despair. Sprinkled throughout the book are seven passages that call us to enjoy our lives. This week we considered how these passages can guide us in making the most of our "vaporous" lives.

This week: more proverbial wisdom from Ecclesiastes. This time we considered: (1) how death teaches us, (2) receiving correction, (3) our "lizard brains," (4) the hazards of sexual attraction, and (5) "what if there's bears??" thinking.

The Teacher offers us wisdom on a variety of topics. This week we looked at three of Pastor Ryan's favorites, which address nostalgia, overhearing criticism, and being "too righteous."

Has your life ever felt like a nightmare? This week we heard from Chuck Redfern, a minister and member of our congregation with a powerful testimony. Chuck shared his experience of dealing with "incurable" cancer and the insight that experience has given him into Romans 5:3-5 and Colossians 1:24. How do our sufferings "make up for what is lacking in the suffering of Christ"?