The 180 Church Podcast with Dr. Sammy and Friends

Fear tends to lead us on a trajectory that we are often not proud of, or even end up regretting. The feeling of fear overtakes any rationale or reason, accuses and blames for self-preservation's sake, and highlights some of our worst moments. But we aren't bound to a life of giving into fear; we are more than the worst parts of ourselves. Through love, we have the potential to combat our fear and demonstrate grace and mercy. Love, unlike fear, is not a feeling that grabs hold of us—it's a deliberate, intentional action, and a choice we can make to be the best of ourselves.

Fear is not one-size-fits-all, as Dr. Sammy says in this week's remote service. It’s been three weeks since we’ve transitioned into a socially distanced life, and many of us may be experiencing fear in a variety of different forms, whether technical or adaptive. But, how do we move from fear to faith during this unprecedented time? In this week's podcast, Pastor Lydia and Joe converse about how we can cling to the prince of peace through this storm.

Fear is not one-size-fits-all, as Dr. Sammy says in this week's remote service. It’s been three weeks since we’ve transitioned into a socially distanced life, and many of us may be experiencing fear in a variety of different forms, whether technical or adaptive. But, how do we move from fear to faith during this unprecedented time? In this week's podcast, Pastor Lydia and Joe converse about how we can cling to the prince of peace through this storm.

COVID-19, for many of us, has become a major source of fear and panic that seemed to occur almost overnight. In this weeks podcast, Joe and Pastor Lydia discuss how difficult times, such as this pandemic, emphasize our need for a savior, the real hero in our stories, and the supply of our strength and hope when we feel our resolve running low. It’s when all measures fail, and we fall short that looking up is how we remember that God is good.

COVID-19, for many of us, has become a major source of fear and panic that seemed to occur almost overnight. In this weeks podcast, Joe and Pastor Lydia discuss how difficult times, such as this pandemic, emphasize our need for a savior, the real hero in our stories, and the supply of our strength and hope when we feel our resolve running low. It’s when all measures fail, and we fall short that looking up is how we remember that God is good.

When something like the coronavirus pandemic threatens our sense of control and autonomy, it can reveal our true character. We are capable of being generous in plenty, but what happens when we're vulnerable during a time of fear? The lesson of the third temptation was that in spite of how bad his circumstances were, Jesus trusted in God and stayed true to his values. The temptation of hostile self-preserving behavior can be seductive, but by following Jesus's example and having no rivals in our relationship with God, we can become ambassadors of Christ in a time of need.

When something like the coronavirus pandemic threatens our sense of control and autonomy, it can reveal our true character. We are capable of being generous in plenty, but what happens when we're vulnerable during a time of fear? The lesson of the third temptation was that in spite of how bad his circumstances were, Jesus trusted in God and stayed true to his values. The temptation of hostile self-preserving behavior can be seductive, but by following Jesus's example and having no rivals in our relationship with God, we can become ambassadors of Christ in a time of need.

In todays podcast, we are continuing our discussions on the season of Lent by observing the second temptation that Jesus overcame during his 40 day fast: spiritual entitlement. It’s not always easy to come to terms with the fact that we may feel entitled to certain rewards and favorable reciprocation from God for our good deeds and behaviors, but its certainly the case that many of us carry these assumptions in our walk with Christ. Spiritual entitlement could very well be holding us back from seeing what God is truly doing in our lives, so in order for us to remember who God is, his good character, and mitigate our own forgetfulness (or stupidity), we revisit and remember the altars and times in our lives that God has pulled through.

In todays podcast, we are continuing our discussions on the season of Lent by observing the second temptation that Jesus overcame during his 40 day fast: spiritual entitlement. It’s not always easy to come to terms with the fact that we may feel entitled to certain rewards and favorable reciprocation from God for our good deeds and behaviors, but its certainly the case that many of us carry these assumptions in our walk with Christ. Spiritual entitlement could very well be holding us back from seeing what God is truly doing in our lives, so in order for us to remember who God is, his good character, and mitigate our own forgetfulness (or stupidity), we revisit and remember the altars and times in our lives that God has pulled through.

In this weeks episode of the podcast, Joe and Pastor Lydia talk about how materialism, in very subtle ways, takes hold of our hearts and how Lent, fasting and prayer, makes us available to Gods presence and dreams. Materialism tends to be coupled with luxury, extravagance and lavishness, but materialism can also look like the things we take comfort in knowing it helps us get through our days, and even survive the tumult of our lives. Lent offers us a season of reflection that invites the Holy Spirit to re-examine what we think we “need” to make space for the eternal things that God has in mind for us and his kingdom.