Westside Podcast

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Join us as Caleb Kolstad brings a message on how to actually read the Bible. 

#trustbible #readbible #firmfoundation #builddaily #yourstory #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2026sermon #churchonline #calebkolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
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Follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Gabe Kolstad brings us a message about the proof you can trust the bible. 

#trustbible #firmfoundation #builddaily #yourstory #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2026sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommu...
To support this ministry and help us o reach people all around the world click here: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.c...

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

Send us Fan Mail

Follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Gabe Kolstad brings us a message about going from God's heart to your hands. 

#godsheart #yourhands #firmfoundation #builddaily #yourstory #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2026sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

Send us Fan Mail

Follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Gabe Kolstad brings us a message about the power to change your life. 

#powertochange #firmfoundation #builddaily #yourstory #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2026sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

Send us Fan Mail

What if the most questioned book in history is also the most reliable? This week Jess sits down with Pastor Gabe for a follow-up to Sunday's message — a no-holds-barred FAQ on how we actually got the Bible, why there are so many translations, and whether you can really trust what's in your hands.

Discover:

• Why there are so many Bible translations — and why you shouldn't pick just one
• Word-for-word vs. meaning-for-meaning (verbal vs. dynamic equivalence) explained simply
• What "God-breathed" really means — did God dictate every word, or something more?
• The difference between the Holy Spirit being with you and in you
• How the early church councils decided what counted as Scripture
• How the Bible's manuscript evidence compares to other ancient documents
• The different types of writing in the Bible (and why mixing them up trips people up)
• How to choose a trustworthy study Bible — and the red flag to watch for
• Where to actually start reading if you're new or starting over

Reflection: Faith was never meant to be fragile. The questions you've been afraid to ask — about copies, councils, and contradictions — aren't threats to your faith; they're an invitation to go deeper. As Gabe puts it, there's no end to the depth you can go with Jesus, and you're meant to feel pulled along, not overwhelmed. Whether you're a lifelong reader or cracking it open for the first time, the goal isn't just believing the right things about the Bible — it's getting God's Word into your heart, where transformation actually happens.

Key Takeaways:

• Use multiple translations as different lenses — together they give you a fuller picture
• A proverb is generally true; it's not a personal guarantee — read each book for what it is
• The reliability of Scripture isn't built on blind faith — it's backed by manuscript evidence
• A good study Bible names its translation team; if you can't find the scholars, that's a red flag
• Start with John, then go back to Genesis — get on a reading plan, and don't do it alone

Question for you to think about: What price have you paid for what you believe — and would it hold up under pressure?

Calls to Action: If this gave you something to chew on, like this video, drop your own Bible questions in the comments, and share it with someone who's wrestling with doubt. New here? Subscribe so you never miss an episode — and come visit us some weekend at Westside.

• LINKS & RESOURCES:
   SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
  Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give
• STAY CONNECTED:
   Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx

Hashtags: #MidweekMotivation #WestsideCommunityChurch #Bible #BibleStudy #CanYouTrustTheBible #Christianity #Faith #BibleTranslations #HowWeGotTheBible #ChristianPodcast #Apologetics #Scripture #FaithJourney #Jesus

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What if "renewing your mind" isn't just a nice phrase — what if it's something happening physically, inside your brain? This week Jess sits down with Rachel for a deep dive into one fascinating question: does reading the Bible actually change your brain? They get into the neuroscience, the Scripture, and the real-life moments where the Word of God shifted something they could genuinely feel.

Discover:

• The science of neuroplasticity — and why it lines up with what Scripture already said
• Romans 12:2 and what "renewing your mind" looks like at the level of your actual brain
• The famous nun study on aging, Alzheimer's, and the power of cognitive reserve
• Why self-help can only take you as far as you can take yourself — and where grace changes the math
• Gabe's simple framework: here daily, discuss weekly, obey immediately
• How obedience becomes confirmation (and one very unexpected kitten)

Reflection paragraph:
Here's the encouraging part: you are not stuck with the thought patterns you've always had. Your brain is malleable, your mind can lead it, and God built you with the capacity to change. But the change isn't about white-knuckling positive thinking — it's about partnering with God, choosing your input, and deciding ahead of time what truth you'll reach for when your thoughts start to spiral. You put in the work; grace multiplies it past anything you could do on your own.

Key Takeaways:

• You're not a victim of your biology — you get to be a co-creator of your future alongside God
• Don't just stop the negative thought, replace it; know your truth before you need it (Philippians 4:8)
• Community accelerates growth — connect with people a little further down the road than you
• Ask the real questions. If you're actually after truth, you'll find it
• Obey immediately. Alignment with God is the goal, and confirmation tends to follow

Question for you to think about:
What's one thought you keep defaulting to — and what's the truth from God's Word you could intentionally replace it with this week?

Calls to Action:
If this encouraged you, hit subscribe, give it a like, and share it with someone who needs it. Got a question about the Bible — how it was put together, where it came from, what it actually is? Drop it in the comments. We're getting into exactly that next week, and we may answer yours on the show. And if you're local, come visit a weekend service at Westside.

• LINKS & RESOURCES:
   SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
  Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give
• STAY CONNECTED:
   Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx

Hashtags:
#MidweekMotivation #WestsideCommunityChurch #Neuroplasticity #RenewYourMind #FaithAndScience #Romans12 #RewireYourBrain #SwitchOnYourBrain #ChristianPodcast #ChristianMentalHealth #SpiritualGrowth #Philippians4 #BibleStudy #Faith

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Every single day, you're either making a decision — or drifting into one. In this episode of Midweek Motivation, Jess and Rachel unpack one of the most honest conversations about faith, focus, and following Jesus you'll hear. Using Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" as a jumping-off point, they dig into what it actually looks like to choose a direction — and what pulls us off course when we're not paying attention.

Discover:

• The real difference between decision and drift — and why "not deciding" is still a choice
• What analysis paralysis, people pleasing, and comfort have in common (and how they stall your faith)
• Why knowing your target is the first step to staying on course
• The power of protecting intentional space for God — including spiritual retreats, daily Scripture, and prayer
• What it looks and feels like to experience God in a way that moves faith from your head to your heart to your feet
• How Rachel's house offer, Jess's financial decisions, and a late-night chip craving all connect to the same spiritual principle
• What Matthew and the rich young ruler teach us about going all in versus almost leaning in

Reflection paragraph: Drift doesn't announce itself. It's the slow pull of comfort, distraction, and urgency that gradually moves you away from the direction you chose. But the good news is that every moment is an invitation to re-engage — to quiet the noise, ask Jesus to lead, and take one intentional step forward. Decision isn't a one-time moment. It's a posture you choose over and over again.

Key Takeaways:

• Not deciding is deciding — drift is always the default when intention is absent
• Know your target: vague goals make drift easy; clear direction makes decisions for you
• Protect your space with God — experiences with him move faith from head to heart to feet
• Filter decisions through Scripture, trusted community, and prayer — not just what feels right
• Faith over fear is a choice you have to keep making, not a feeling you wait for
• Leaning in requires ownership — receiving the gift of Jesus means engaging with what that actually means

Question for you to think about: Where in your life right now are you drifting — and what would it look like to make an intentional decision instead?

Calls to Action: If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who's standing at a fork right now — and subscribe so you never miss a new episode. Drop a comment below: What's one area of your life where you're choosing decision over drift?

• LINKS & RESOURCES: SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1 Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give
• STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx

Hashtags: #MidweekMotivation #WestsideCommunitychurch #DecisionOrDrift #ChristianPodcast #FaithOverFear #FollowingJesus #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #Intentional #Discipleship #BiblicalDecisions #FaithWalk #JesusFollower #TakeTheLeap #RoadNotTaken

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Welcome to Westside! Engage in the chat and Follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Stephen Radie brings us a message about foundation over feelings. 

#foundationoverfeelings #firmfoundation #builddaily #yourstory #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2026sermon #churchonline #stephenradie 

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

Send us Fan Mail

Follow along with message notes at https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/notes-resources

Join us as Gabe Kolstad brings us a message about how this is Our Moment.

#time #now #thetimeisnow #godstiming #yourstory #Jesus #fullservice #fullchurchservice #christian #sermon #worship #westside #church #2026sermon #churchonline #gabekolstad

Westside is a place made up of real people from all walks of life. We are a “come as you are” church that strives to be a safe place for people to investigate faith. No matter your story, questions, doubts or struggles, we’re glad you’re here today.

LINKS & RESOURCES:
SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1
Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give

STAY CONNECTED:
Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx/

Send us Fan Mail

What if the students in your community were the ones leading their families back to church? That's exactly what's happening at Westside — and it's not an accident. In this episode of Midweek Motivation, Jess sits down with Tim Wooten, a 30-year financial advisor, youth pastor, and son of Westside's founding pastor, to talk about what it really means to invest in the next generation — one kid, one conversation, and one sacrifice at a time.

Discover:

• How Tim went from teenager in the youth group to leading it for over two decades
• Why "stick and stay" is the most underrated strategy in ministry — and in life
• The story of a student who wakes up at 3AM to make pizza dough so he can make it to church by 10:30
• How dozens of students have brought their entire families to church — and why that's flipping the script on discipleship
• What truth and love actually looks like when you're sitting across from a 15-year-old making hard decisions
• Why legacy requires letting go — and what Tim's dad modeled by passing the torch
• A real, honest conversation about sacrifice, finances, and why you probably can give more than you think

Reflection paragraph: Legacy isn't built in a moment — it's built in years of showing up, sticking around, and investing in people who don't yet know what they're capable of. Tim's story is a reminder that the voices playing in someone's head at the right moment came from a person who chose not to quit. Whether it's time, money, relationships, or leadership — the question isn't whether you can afford to invest. It's whether you can afford not to.

Key Takeaways:

• Readers are leaders — invest in your own growth so you can pour into others
• Stick and stay: trust and legacy are built over years, not months
• The next generation is hungry for truth — biblical truth spoken in love changes lives
• Legacy requires releasing control and training up the people around you to carry it forward
• You cannot out-give God — that's not a slogan, it's a promise
• Every sacrifice looks different — what matters is that it costs you something

Question for you to think about: Who invested in you — and who are you investing in right now?

Calls to Action: If this episode encouraged or challenged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and subscribe so you never miss a new episode. Drop a comment below: Who's a person who invested in you and helped shape who you are today?

• LINKS & RESOURCES: SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1 Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give
• STAY CONNECTED: Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx

Hashtags: #MidweekMotivation #WestsideCommunitychurch #YouthMinistry #NextGeneration #ChristianPodcast #Legacy #Discipleship #FaithInAction #InvestInOthers #ChristianLiving #StudentMinistry #GenerosityChallenge #YouCannotOutgiveGod #StickyFaith #ChurchGrowth