Matthew 14:13-23; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5 Absence can make the heart grow fonder, stronger, and more reliable. When we run to keep up with all our relationships and the maintenance they demand of us, we can get really run down and burned out. Add "social" media pressures to this, and we end up feeling like we must perform endlessly to be secure. Fasting from this oppressive cycle can seem mean to others and ourselves; however, our attention to solitude is not only healthy and needed - it is kind and generous to those who depend on us!

1 Timothy 6:2b-10; Deuteronomy 14:22-29

Do we own our things, or do our things own us? Who's really in control? Many have found fasting to be the solution to the corrupting power of wealth and possessions. Fasting from the self-provision money and possessions provide is called tithing; we are called to do it cheerfully and proactively. When we do, we find that letting go of some possessions purifies the ones we keep and helps us properly and healthfully use money.

Isaiah 58 Some people really struggle with a good work ethic. For others, though, it is so easy to start feeling like our work makes all the difference - as if stopping our labor even for a second would make something really bad happen in the universe. This message discusses fasting called Sabbath rest. It is willingly refraining from self-provision through work and labor - we are called to do so regularly and gladly! It is far more than that, though! Just as fasting from food and drink always enables prayer, rest has a powerful flip side we need!

Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 14:17 

Lent is a time to prepare ourselves to receive the good news of the Resurrection at Easter. We do this by humbling ourselves, deepening our spiritual disciplines, and honing our hungers for God. One of the ways people have done this most is through fasting - self-denial through abstaining from certain kinds of self-provision. Often, people give up foods and treats of some kind. Fasting in this way can free us from the equal errors of idolatry and legalism.

1 Timothy 1

First world believers show a remarkable loss and lack of heart; we need an infusion of divine love, motivation, and courage! 

2 Timothy 4: 1-8

Our cultural moment breeds many false teachers and corrupt churches; we must strive together to keep doctrinal integrity. 

Psalm 25 This message speaks about the fragmentation of our society - the way it leads people to live very duplicitous and disconnected lives. Too many people are shape shifting in the different parts of their lives, and they end up feeling like they have lots of acquaintances, but no real friendships. We call this "crowded loneliness." It is a state of being in which alienation and isolation are rapidly increasing, despite the illusion of hyper-connectedness. God's call to holistic integrity is the only solution.

Frist World Problems Series

1 Peter 4:12-19

This message is brought by our guest, Rev. Aaron Jager. Aaron is an old friend and coworker of Pastor Josh. Aaron now serves as chaplin at Broson Hospital in Kalamazoo. This experience has taught him a lot about distortions in the way we process suffering in our culture. Suffering surprises many, but Christianity and the Bible prepares and equips us to redeem it.

Jeremiah 7

We are often taught, explicitly or subtly, that people are disposable commodities. When they get in the way of our happiness, we are quick to resent, dismiss, ignore, and even harm them. In contrast, the Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to sacrifice our idols (and ourselves) to build up people and seek their flourishing in every way we can.

1 Corinthians 6:12 & 10:23-24 

This message is brought by Dr. Paul Patton. He is sharing with us some of the wisdom from a book he co-authored called, "Everyday Sabbath," in which he deals with the patterns of media and technology and how they are affecting us with some unique first-world problems. We often seek escape from life's problems through our use of media. Digital distraction and fantasy seem like the only escape to our woes, but they are actually the greatest of our woes! In excess, they can keep us from thinking and relating the way God intends!