thinking out loud

In this message, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth explores "lunar spirituality," where faith waxes and wanes like the moon, yet the risen Christ remains constant and present. Walking through John 20, she highlights Jesus' gentle response to the disciples' fear and Thomas' doubt, showing how he meets people in locked rooms of shame, uncertainty, and unbelief. She invites listeners to live Easter by being...

In this message, Terry Timm teaches that Easter "begins in the dark," in real spaces of grief and confusion, just as Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb expecting death and misreads what she sees. When Jesus simply speaks her name, Mary discovers that resurrection is first a personal, transforming encounter rather than full understanding. Sent as the first witness of the risen Christ, she models how...

On this final Sunday in Lent, Richie Reeder reflects on both Palm Sunday and the church's "Lessons of the Desert" series, inviting listeners to consider how practices from the wilderness—prayer, testing, silence and solitude, self-denial, wisdom, and humility—might shape their lives beyond the season. Teaching from Matthew 21 and contrasting the crowds' "Hosanna" on Sunday with "Crucify him" on Fr...

In this message, Terry Timm invites us into the wisdom of the desert by reflecting on the life of Moses the Strong, a man transformed from violent outlaw to humble saint. Drawing on Pete Greig's video "Hero of the Desert: Moses," the message explores how Moses' story challenges our culture of influence and platform-building. Rooted in Philippians 2 and the picture of Jesus who "made himself nothin...

In this message, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth reflects on how silence, solitude, and "desert" practices create space to hear God's wisdom amid the noise of our information-saturated age. Drawing on Proverbs, James, the stories of St. Hilda and St. Patrick, she contrasts mere knowledge with true, peace-bearing wisdom that comes from God. The message invites listeners to cultivate inner wilderness—thro...

In this message, Terry Timm reflects on "freedom through renunciation," drawing from the stories of the rich young ruler, the desert mothers and fathers (especially Syncleticia of Alexandria), and Jesus' teachings on treasure and the soul. He explores how possessions, comfort, and security can quietly possess our hearts, and how practices of simplicity, generosity, and intentional "micro deserts"...

In this message, Terry Timm teaches that solitude is not an escape from the world but a sacred space with God where we are reshaped in love so we can return to the world with kindness. Drawing from the life of Jesus, the desert mothers and fathers, and biblical figures like Moses, Elijah, and Hagar, he shows how silence and solitude become places to see and be seen by God. Terry then offers practi...

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 t...

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 res...

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...

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 invit...

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 humil...

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 disc...

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....

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 conc...

In her talk, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth explores the contrast between romanticized portrayals of love, as seen in Hallmark movies, and the profound, sometimes messy love embodied by the incarnation of Jesus Christ. She emphasizes the importance of presence and vulnerability, encouraging listeners to show up for others in times of suffering and to be open to receiving help themselves. Amidst the cha...

In this talk, Richie Reeder explores the theme of joy during the third week of Advent, drawing from the personal experiences of his daughter's early health challenges to illustrate the depth and complexity of true joy. He delves into the biblical story of Mary in Luke chapter 1, highlighting her journey from fear to unexpected joy as a model for embracing God's promises amidst life's trials. Richi...

In this message, Terry Timm delves into the pervasive issue of anxiety in our modern world, drawing connections to the pressures faced by Generation Z. He references Jonathan Haidt's book, "The Anxious Generation," to frame a discussion on how societal changes have contributed to rising levels of anxiety. The message explores biblical teachings from Philippians 4 and Luke 2, emphasizing the peace...

In this message, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth explores Jesus' first sermon, which led to an attempted execution due to its radical message that God's love and liberation extend beyond traditional borders. She explores the concept of the "year of the Lord's favor," also known as the year of Jubilee, highlighting its promise of societal reset and equitable justice for the oppressed. The message conclud...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the concept of prophecy as the Spirit-empowered communication of God's heart and perspective, intended to strengthen, encourage, and comfort the body of Christ. He discusses the historical role of prophets, from Moses in the Old Testament to Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy, and highlights how the prophetic voice continues in the church today through ordina...

In this message, Richie Reeder paints a vivid picture of the daunting yet humorous role of a biblical prophet, likening it to an unconventional job description that few would eagerly pursue. Richie draws parallels between the desolation caused by locust swarms in the book of Joel and the personal struggles we all face, reminding us that when life feels dried up and hopeless, turning back to God ca...

In this message,  Katherine Sikma Wadsworth explores Ezekiel 36, highlighting God's promise to transform the hardened hearts of the Israelites into hearts of flesh, symbolizing a fresh start and renewed relationship with God. She discusses the balance between divine intervention and free will, likening it to a parent's guidance of a teenager, and emphasizes the importance of emotional and spiritua...

In this message Terry Timm, we explore the words of the prophet Isaiah, which encourage us to remember our true identity and relationship with God rather than placing trust in materialistic or superficial idols. By examining modern-day prophets like Walter Brueggemann, Beth Moore, and Mako Fujimura, Timm illustrates the ongoing need for prophetic voices that challenge dominant societal and religio...