Remember the Eminem hit that asked, would the real slim shady stand up? Jesus’ followers and others knew that Jesus was someone special, but the question remained, is he the real son of God? And if so, what does this all mean?

He came saying, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent

and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). Literally he says the kingdom is “at hand.” It is that close. All around us. Within reach. His kingdom is not as a nation with armies and weapons but as a farmer who comes with seed and the seed falls on soil (Mark 4:3-9). Finding his kingdom is like finding a treasure in a field (Matt. 13:44). And his kingdom is worry-free (Matt. 6:25-34). Best of all, this kingdom has a king who is in control (Mark 4:35-39).

Imagine if you were introducing the savior of the world. Wouldn’t you make it a gala event? Call in the media? God doesn’t work that way. He had other plans.

John writes about beginnings. John writes about God’s very representation dwelling among us. And he writes to tell us that we have the same decision to make as the innkeeper did on Christmas. Will we find a place for Jesus in our lives or will we send him away? Some send him away because he looks too plain. Nothing special about him. Don’t make that mistake. He comes to common places like your home and common places like your heart.

This weekend every year we stop and rest celebrating all the labor and hard work done by so many. What if that work was a gift from God? What if work was not meant to get us day to day, but something more?

When Jesus told the disciples, “Go make disciples of all people” where do you think he was telling them to go specifically? It’s easy for us to think of somewhere else that we could go, where people are “worse off” than us. But what if Jesus first place he called us to go, is where you live?

Parents see their children like no one else. And they should, they have raised them, and enjoyed everyday with them since they were a little child. Have you ever wondered how God sees the world? Elisha gives the army of Israel a glimpse into God’s perspective on the struggles at hand for them, and then the struggles don’t seem quite as overwhelming anymore.

Hear guest preacher and Western Theological Seminary Student Beth Jarvis bring us a message from God's word.

1+1=2, If I eat healthy it will improve my health. We love reliable formulas. The trouble is that no where in the bible does it suggest that God does. In fact we find that God’s work often looks different in each circumstance and moment.

Once you start a bad habit they are incredibly hard to break. You want quit smoking, eat better, or stop chewing your nails, it takes time and dedication, and lots of set backs. The Israelites knew this well, and saw it firsthand as they tried to put their lives back together after a time of being exiled to other lands.