Relationships can be messy. Why? Because you’re in them. Problem: We are more cynical than ever before about marriage. At the same time because of social media, we also have unrealistic expectations based on other people’s highlight reels. (Expectations that aren’t real.) There is so much wrong information causing people to hold false beliefs about marriage. Ever hear any of these? “Over half of marriages fail.” “We probably won’t make it.” “Why bother getting married? It’s a failed institution.” “Christian […]

Relationships can be messy. Why? Because you’re in them. Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And […]

Relationships can be messy. Why? Because you’re in them. In the previous message, I shared the four stages of conflict. To review, they are: Withdrawal Escalation Belittling False Beliefs In this message, I present nine (yep, nine!) ways that you can manage conflict. Listen to the message for a detailed breakdown of each one. We’ve got 24 hours Don’t use absolutes Holster the “You Gun” Your point doesn’t become more intelligent at a higher volume Don’t be a quitter If […]

Relationships can be messy. Why? Because you’re in them. Do you know why relationships are messy? Because YOU are in them. In this series, we want to help you manage conflict better—fight better. Fight fairer. You can’t avoid conflict, but there is a right way and wrong way to fight. In fact, I’ll never advise you to not fight. But there are some tips to help you “fight forward,” or to enjoy some healthy conflict that makes your relationships better, […]

I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. Romans 7:15 NLT Our desires are driven by what we worship. Idolatry is taking something God made and making it into a god. This is what they did back in the Old Testament: They took things that God made, and created carved images and bowed down to them. They worshiped animals, the sun and moon, etc. […]

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be […]

Not even the Angels around the throne have seen all that God is yet. You certainly haven’t seen all that God has for you yet: What He wants to do in you, the people he wants to bring into your life, the experiences he wants to you have, etc. But if you want to experience something new this year, it’s not coming in the form of just becoming better—of course you should progress and grow and get better—but I believe […]

2019 will be your best year IF it’s your best year spiritually. When your spiritual life gets better, everything gets better. As a church we take the first part of the year to focus on spiritual growth. We know that when you put God first it’ll change your year and your life like nothing else. It does NOT mean all your problems will go away or that life will magically become easier. Sometimes it’s a battle. The devil doesn’t want […]

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel”—which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:21-23 niv Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give […]

Mary was a biblical example of a person who kept gratitude in her heart. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherd’s story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things (treasured these things) in her heart and thought about them often. (Luke 2:17-19) Big Idea: GRATITUDE PRODUCES HAPPINESS Many people think that it works the other way around. That […]