Stones Hill Community Church

I learn so much when I can see things in contrast. James must feel the same way. Two Ways to Live. Two worldviews. Two wisdoms. Two centers. Two lifestyles. Two harvests. One is centered on self. The other is centered on God. I think James has big brother Jesus in mind. Jesus repeatedly presents two ways of living: two kinds of righteousness — Matthew 5:20; two treasures — Matthew 6:19–21; two masters — Matthew 6:24; two roads — Matthew 7:13–14; two kinds of prophets/fruit — Matthew 7:15–20; two kinds of people who hear Jesus — Matthew 7:24–27. * James sounds a lot like Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount because James is presenting the same basic choice: two ways of seeing, two ways of living, and ultimately two different outcomes. James talks about two sources of wisdom that produce two competing ways of seeing life. And James' question isn't merely “Which worldview do you believe?” It's: “Which wisdom or worldview is your life demonstrating?” Worldview eventually becomes behavior. Your beliefs get lived out.

How do you know if you're growing up? Not by how old you are. Not by how much you know. Sometimes you know you're growing up when you finally have the courage to look in the mirror and say, “The problem isn't everybody else. God wants to change something in me.” Paul ends 1 Corinthians with five commands that essentially say: “Let’s grow up.”

Welcome to the Life Verse and Catchphrases Series! The Words We Carry. The Truth That Carries Us. A Life Verse Is... A truth from God’s Word that becomes a personal compass, a source of courage, a reminder of identity, or a declaration against the lies of the world. A life verse is a verse out of the Bible that especially resonates with you and that has inspired you in some meaningful way. It has become a kind of focus point for you, a life mantra, or a kind of statement or even a counter-culture protest of sorts to battle some erroneous worldview assumption. What verse do you keep coming back to—and why? How did you come to settle on this verse? How has God used this verse in your life?

When we experience days like September 11, 2001, we desperately want to know that we're not alone. We long for someone—someone who can see what we cannot see—to rise up and reassure us: “Your story is not over.” Because when you're living through the worst chapter of your life, you don't know it's a chapter. You think it's the whole story. You don't have the whole manuscript. You only have the page you're standing on. And that's where Joseph's story becomes so powerful.

Every parent eventually has to do something they don't want to do: let go. There comes a moment when you realize you can't walk the road for your children anymore. You can give them advice. You can pray for them. You can make a great proposal for their life. You can load the car. You can even check the tires one more time. But eventually, they have to take off themselves. That's when we rely on God and Proverbs 3:5-6

Pastor Dave Speaks on Biblical Hospitality (8/30/26)

Welcome to the Life Verse and Catchphrases Series! The Words We Carry. The Truth That Carries Us. A Life Verse Is... A truth from God’s Word that becomes a personal compass, a source of courage, a reminder of identity, or a declaration against the lies of the world. A life verse is a verse out of the Bible that especially resonates with you and that has inspired you in some meaningful way. It has become a kind of focus point for you, a life mantra, or a kind of statement or even a counter-culture protest of sorts to battle some erroneous worldview assumption. What verse do you keep coming back to—and why? How did you come to settle on this verse? How has God used this verse in your life?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."*Everybody wants to be loved, accepted, secure, significant, and fulfilled. But, we resist God's love and attempt to find life apart from Him. What if the life you've been looking for isn't something you need to find? What if it's Someone you need to receive? *

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.*This week thousands of backpacks will be filled across the county. Teachers will organize classrooms. Parents will wonder how quickly summer disappeared. Students will wonder who their teacher will be, whether they'll fit in, whether they'll make the team, whether this year will be easier—or harder—than the last. *But school isn't the only thing starting. Many of us are entering a new season—a new job, new responsibilities, new challenges, new diagnoses, new opportunities. The question isn't simply, "Are you ready for school?" It's, "Are you ready for whatever life brings?"

Welcome to the Life Verse and Catchphrases Series! The Words We Carry. The Truth That Carries Us. A Life Verse Is... A truth from God’s Word that becomes a personal compass, a source of courage, a reminder of identity, or a declaration against the lies of the world. A life verse is a verse out of the Bible that especially resonates with you and that has inspired you in some meaningful way. It has become a kind of focus point for you, a life mantra, or a kind of statement or even a counter-culture protest of sorts to battle some erroneous worldview assumption. What verse do you keep coming back to—and why? How did you come to settle on this verse? How has God used this verse in your life?