Posted: 23 Apr, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
In the account of the paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus, we learn that Jesus wants us to come to Him for forgiveness—spiritual healing! This is one of the amazing ways we experience life from God. When we ask for and receive forgiveness, we are no longer defined by our loserness! We are freed […]
Read More...Posted: 26 Feb, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
We should never be surprised when we find ourselves discouraged or even despondent. After all, we live in terrible times. Yet God offers hope in the midst of our trials. Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” We can find life from God even […]
Read More...Posted: 19 Feb, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
Dove shares about the opportunity to develop an ongoing, growing relationship with the living God. He unpacks Jesus’ call in the beginning of Matthew chapter 6, to pray, give, and fast in secret—not for the approval of others but for God only. When done with a desire to discover the heart of God, not just […]
Read More...Posted: 12 Feb, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
If those who speak are supposed to speak as if speaking the very words of God, how are those who listen supposed to listen? In faith, can we believe that God will speak to us through His Word, through worship, through others, and even through the sermons we hear? 1 Peter 4:11a If anyone speaks, […]
Read More...Posted: 01 Jan, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
The greatest disciples throughout history, from Jesus’ Twelve all the way to modern-day martyrs, have something in common. They don’t care. They don’t care about what others think, about their own personal gain, or even about their own lives. This one commonly held attribute allows them to live with abandon and care about the things […]
Read More...Posted: 04 Dec, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson
What comes to mind when you think of authority and the submission to authority? Our own experience and cultural context have inevitably shaped that view. We probably all know examples of the abuse of authority and realize the potential to be taken advantage of. As we look deeper, we see that a loving authority is […]
Read More...Posted: 13 Nov, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson
Have you ever felt judged by Christians? You vote one way, but they think you should vote another. You trick or treat, but they don’t. You have a Christmas tree and they seem to think you are worshiping the forest god in your living room. You public school and they home school. Paul addresses these […]
Read More...Posted: 06 Nov, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson
Each of us lives in a situation that is not always easy. In fact life is often extremely challenging, and it is easy to think that if we were only in a different situation then we would be happy and fulfilled. If only I had a spouse, or if I didn’t have one but could […]
Read More...Posted: 23 Aug, 2016 | Author: Tommy Tinajero
Tommy courageously shares his story of how an addiction to pornography threatened his walk with God, inner peace, and marriage. Most (if not all) of us can relate to such life-consuming struggles, but God doesn’t want that to be the end of the story. He can help us to be free and to fill our […]
Read More...Posted: 22 Aug, 2016 | Author: Joe Ortiz
Joe Ortiz tells the story of his son, Joey, who at ten months of age was diagnosed as having a seizure disorder. The ensuing months and years brought a lot of pain and hardship, but in the end, God met one of Joe’s deepest needs: to know God truly existed and cared. Download
Read More...Posted: 31 Jul, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson
God has always loved people. People are the pinnacle of creation! We might think that we are too messed up for God to love us, but there are countless examples of God loving really messed up people. Throughout all of scripture, we see God trying to win the hearts of broken people. And we see […]
Read More...Posted: 05 Jun, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson
“Behind the scenes is where the work is done.” How can we experience growth and the presence of God apart from our own effort? Me must learn to be connected to the vine by surrender instead of strength. Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your […]
Read More...Posted: 29 May, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson
It’s one thing to follow God when God asks something easy of us, but it is another thing to follow God when we have a completely different plan that we think is easier or better. To help us make good choices in these situations it is helpful to understand how we think. We need to […]
Read More...Posted: 22 May, 2016 | Author: Tom Schwieger
God values relationships! One of the greatest themes throughout the New Testament is the command to love others. In this message, Tom Schwieger talks about the importance of having meaningful relationships with five different groups of people: Lifers, Laborers, Leaders, Learners, and the Lost. God uses each of these types of relationships to impact us, […]
Read More...Posted: 01 May, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson
In this message, Steve talks about how being involved in the church is a strategic part of our mission to advance God’s Kingdom. Church was never intended to be an event, but the church is Christ’s body, in a brotherhood expressed practically in deep and meaningful local relationships, and on mission like a spiritual army. Serving in […]
Read More...Posted: 06 Mar, 2016 | Author: John Houser
In this message, John Houser talks about the importance of working through offense and conflict within the church. God wants the church to be united, and in order to do that we must be prepared to deal with the internal conflicts that will arise over time. “I have given them the glory that you gave […]
Read More...Posted: 10 Jan, 2016 | Author: Dr. Michael Parsa
The Bible tells us that God calls his followers to obey himself and those in authority over us. But what is a Christian supposed to do when these two conflict with one another? What does true obedience to God look like anyway? What about the grey areas? In this message, Dr. Mike Parsa addresses these questions […]
Read More...Posted: 11 Oct, 2015 | Author: Steve Nelson
Steve shares with us a moving sermon on humility. “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” —Romans 12:16 Download
Read More...Posted: 11 Jul, 2015 | Author: Steve Nelson
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:13-14 Download […]
Read More...Posted: 21 Jun, 2015 | Author: Dove Cranson
“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know […]
Read More...Posted: 23 May, 2015 | Author: Dove Cranson
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient […]
Read More...Posted: 22 Mar, 2015 | Author: Steve Nelson
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” – Galatians 5:13 As Christians, we know that we are free, but also that we can’t just do whatever we want. We still have a set of rules that we […]
Read More...Posted: 21 Apr, 2019 | Author: Dove Cranson
Easter remembers one of the most remarkable events in all of human history. This is a brief look at the backstory of this day.
Read More...Posted: 12 May, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson
Colossians 1:10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way… NIV I recently started teaching ESL to Chinese kids online. When the students do a good job, I give them five stars. When I do a good job, the parents […]
Read More...Posted: 26 May, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson
Money can accomplish a lot. It can affect our status, provide us with an education, and make life more comfortable. One danger that we can face is that we may start to look to money to provide us with the things we want out of life instead of looking to God. For us to be […]
Read More...Posted: 23 Jun, 2019 | Author: Dove Cranson
Did you know the most amazing being in the entire universe loves you? Did you know He wants you to experience His love?
Read More...Posted: 16 Jun, 2019 | Author: Dove Cranson
God has given us all that we have and He allows us to honor Him by giving some back. And He blesses us in the process.
Read More...Posted: 24 Nov, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson
When we call evil good it is not loving. Rather it muddles lines—lines that God drew to bring us good.
Read More...Posted: 08 Dec, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson
We must see the Christian life as more than the attainment of eternal life. The Christian life is about the next life, but it is also about this life.
Read More...Posted: 20 Oct, 2019 | Author: Dove Cranson
This message looks at Jesus’ instructions on how to address offenses in a healthy way.
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