thinking out loud

In this message, Richie Reeder invites the church into a sober but hopeful look at sin—not just as bad behavior to stop, but as an opportunity for Spirit-empowered transformation into Christlikeness. Drawing from Genesis 4, the image of sin "crouching at your door," and the wisdom of the desert fathers and mothers (especially John Cassian's eight vices), he challenges listeners to identify where they are most vulnerable and to practice small, embodied acts of resistance. Throughout, Richie emphasizes God's compassion and kindness in Christ, calling the congregation to allow the Holy Spirit to search their hearts and deepen their hunger for holiness.

In this message, Terry Timm reflects on Jesus' temptations in the wilderness as a paradigm for our own Lenten journey, highlighting the temptations to be relevant, spectacular, and powerful. Drawing on Henri Nouwen and the desert mothers and fathers, he invites listeners to practices of contemplative prayer, confession, restraint in speech, and deep rooting in God's redemptive story as ways to resist the "wreckage of the world." Timm concludes by reminding us that we enter the wilderness of Lent not to become beloved but because we already are "deeply loved dust," blessed and accompanied by God on the journey.

In this message, Terry Timm explores how the early church in Acts 15 navigated deep conflict without fragmentation, modeling a non-reactive, Spirit-led way forward. Drawing on both Scripture and neurobiology, he shows how the "mind of Christ" can regulate the body of Christ, creating space for silence, listening, and healthy differentiation. Terry invites Christ Community Church to become a humble, discerning, and regulated people who can genuinely say, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us."

In this message, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth reflects on the Emmaus road story in Luke 24 through the lens of neurobiology, exploring how our brains respond when our life story falls apart. She explains concepts like bilateral stimulation, co-regulation, and the reshaping of neural pathways to show how Jesus' calm presence helps the disciples process their confusion, grief, and hope. Katherine invites listeners to become a healing community for one another—holding space, telling the truth of our stories, and recognizing Christ's presence at the table and in our shared lives.

In this message, Terry Timm explores the concept of "E Pluribus Unum," highlighting the persistent tension in both society and the church between unity and diversity. Drawing from Ephesians 4 and integrating insights from neuroscience, he emphasizes how unity in diversity reflects the triune nature of God and is essential for Christian maturity.

In this message, Richie Reeder explores how the concept of mirror neurons deepens our understanding of empathy and connection within the body of Christ. Reflecting on Romans 12:3-8, he encourages each member to recognize and activate their unique spiritual gifts for the flourishing of the church community. Richie emphasizes moving from independence to interdependence, fostering unity through humility and the faithful expression of God-given talents.

In this message, Terry Timm explores the intersection of faith and neurobiology, emphasizing how God has hardwired us for resilience in the face of life's storms. Using Rembrandt's painting and four biblical texts, he illustrates how peace, provided through Jesus and mediated by the Holy Spirit, allows believers to remain centered and non-reactive amidst chaos. Through the Holy Spirit, we can discover Christ's peace and choose love as a transformative approach to life's challenges.

In this message, Terry Timm explores the concept of the church, emphasizing that it is not merely a building or institution but a dynamic, living community of believers journeying together with God. He introduces the theme of "neurobiology comes to church," highlighting how scientific insights into our nervous systems can inform and enhance our understanding of communal life and spiritual growth. Three primary themes are explored: regulation, differentiation and connection, and discernement through shared story.

In this message, Terry Timm explores the theme of light as a foundational element in the Biblical narrative, beginning with God's command "Let there be light" in Genesis. He reflects on how this divine illumination is not only a physical phenomenon but also a metaphor for revelation, presence, and guidance, which connects the stories from Isaiah 60 and Matthew 2.

In this Christmas message, Terry Timm reflects on the metaphor of the body being like Mary, suggesting that each person carries the presence of Christ within, just as Mary carried Jesus. By drawing on Rumi's poetry and the Apostle Paul's writings, this message emphasizes the transformative power of saying "yes" to God and allowing Christ to be born through our actions, words, and presence. It concludes with a breath prayer to reinforce the realization and sharing of Christ's presence in and through our lives.