Peace is something we all long for, yet it often feels fleeting. True peace, as described in Scripture, is more than just the absence of stress; it is the fullness of God’s blessing, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual restoration. The peace brought by Jesus, the Prince of Peace, comes at a cost. It requires surrender—giving up self-focused pursuits to make room for Christ’s peace. This surrender is challenging, as it involves letting go of what we hold dear.  Ultimately, the greatest act of surrender is Jesus’s sacrifice, which brings us peace with God. Through this, we are invited to reflect on what we need to release in order to experience the fullness of His peace.

David Stockton, Jeff Gokee, and CJ Bergmen discuss joy, causing a major distraction in the back pew of our church services, and dressing up as Billy Sunday and Martin Luther for Halloween.

David Stockton, CJ Bergmen, and Jeff Gokee sit down to discuss hope, Psalm 42 , and holiness tied to hope.

Joy is a central theme in the Christian life, rooted in fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, rather than in circumstances. It has existed since creation and accompanies us through both joyful and difficult times, sustained by the Holy Spirit. Scripture teaches that joy is a fruit of the Spirit now and a future hope, found not by striving but by walking closely with God and dwelling in His presence. Eugene Peterson writes, “Joy is not a requirement of Christian discipleship; it is a consequence.” It is a natural outcome of dwelling in God's grace.

Through the story of Simeon, the waiting saint, we learn what a life of hope looks like. Often, we treat hope like a reward, thinking that as long as we're "good," we will get what we long for. This mindset leads to despair for many, as hope is not about the fulfillment of our desires, it’s dependance on the one who can fulfill all our desires and trusting his providential plan. Hope is found in God's promises, fulfilled in Jesus. Henri Nouwen reminds us that "Life is Advent," and true hope is recognizing the Lord’s continual coming into our lives.

Dalton, Alec, and David share their thoughts on Thanksgiving, thanksgiving scriptures, and being grateful to the Lord for things in our life.

This week, Pastor Mark Buckley encouraged us to cultivate thankfulness in seven key areas of life: giving thanks to God, for our spiritual family, for our circumstances, for our food, for our family and friends, for our government leaders, and for our spouse. The Lord calls us to be people of gratitude, and we are reminded to be thankful in these areas and beyond.

Lead Pastor David Stockton and Founding Pastor Mark Buckley discuss the different types of mercy in The Book of Jude, president-elect Donald Trump, and share stories of how God showed mercy in their lives over the years.

This week, we focused on God's mercy and the need for it in light of sin. Jude warns against people who cause division, live like the world, and lack the Spirit. He advises us to be discerning, especially when others are divisive or show no evidence of spiritual fruit. Jude encourages us to pray in the Holy Spirit, stay rooted in God's love, and wait for His mercy. He also outlines three ways to extend mercy: by helping those who doubt, rescuing people from spiritual danger, and showing mercy with fear, which involves loving someone while distancing ourselves from their sinful behavior.

Pastor David and Alec Seekins reflect on the 2024 Presidential Election, sin in the community through The Book of Jude, and nicknames.