thinking out loud

In his message, Richie Reeder explores the question, "What does God really want from us?" by drawing on the words of the prophet Micah. Reeder emphasizes that God desires not grand gestures but hearts and lives shaped by justice, mercy, and humility, urging listeners to embody these qualities in their everyday lives. Through story and reflections, he challenges the audience to act justly, love mer...

In her message, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth explores the compelling nature of truth-telling through the story of the prophet Jeremiah. She reflects on the burdens and courage required to speak against injustice, drawing parallels between historical and contemporary figures who are driven by a powerful inner fire to advocate for change. Wadsworth encourages her audience to find their voice and boldly...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the unfailing love and compassion of God as depicted in the story of the prophet Hosea, emphasizing God's relentless pursuit and forgiveness despite humanity's tendency to stray. Timm highlights the contrast between the expectations of a patriarchal society and God's revolutionary expression of parental love, culminating in the ultimate revelation of this love...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the life of Moses, the prototype prophet. In Exodus 19, God calls His people into covenant, reminding them they are His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. Through Moses we see what it means to be a prophet: one who encounters God directly, leads God's people in freedom and faithfulness, and intercedes on their behalf. Moses is rememb...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the prophetic call of Amos, emphasizing God's vision of justice and righteousness for the world. He highlights themes such as God's concern for the marginalized, the reality of collective evil, and justice rooted in God's dream for creation. Listeners will be chllenged to engage with issues of justice and righteousness in their own lives and communities, urging...

In this message, Richie Reeder explores the often-overlooked practice of lament, encouraging listeners to embrace honest expressions of grief, sorrow, and pain as a pathway to healing and spiritual growth. Drawing upon the book of Lamentations and the teachings of prophets like Jeremiah, he emphasizes that true healing arises from acknowledging and naming our suffering before God, rather than bypa...

In this message, Terry Timm introduces a new series titled "The Way of the Prophet," where he explores the roles and callings of prophets like Jeremiah and Huldah. He emphasizes the prophetic tasks of facing reality, grieving over the world's brokenness, and moving forward with hope. 

In this message, Terry Timm uses the metaphor of life as a marathon to explore the stages of the "critical journey," a process of spiritual formation with six distinct stages, including the inevitable experience of hitting a "wall." He discusses the importance of recognizing where one is on this journey and the invitations that each stage offers, emphasizing God's omnipresence and the role of grac...

In this uplifting message, Richie Reeder explores the theme of love through the lens of the "critical journey" framework, focusing on stage six, the life of love. By tracing Peter's transformation in the Bible and reflecting on 1 Corinthians 13, Reeder emphasizes the importance of embodying Christ-like love as a natural, sacrificial way of being. He challenges the audience to cease striving and em...

In today's message, Terry Timm invites us to explore the transformative journey of faith through the lens of Esther's story. He challenges us to consider what we might accomplish for God's kingdom if failure were not an option and we were willing to surrender everything. As we delve into stage five of the critical journey, Terry encourages us to embrace radical trust and courageously step into the...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the concept of "hitting the wall" in both physical and spiritual journeys, drawing parallels between running a marathon, mountain climbing, and navigating life's profound spiritual crises. The book of Jonah serves as a case study for understanding how encountering such walls can lead to deep transformation, emphasizing the importance of embracing mystery, slowi...

In this message, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth explores "stage four" of the faith journey, describing it as a challenging but transformative period typically prompted by crises that shatter previous beliefs. She compares this stage to a lobster molting its shell, emphasizing the discomfort and vulnerability involved in shedding outdated worldviews to allow for growth. Despite the difficulties and isol...

In this message, Richie Reeder explores the concept of "The Productive Life" as part of the series "The Critical Journey". Richie challenges the cultural obsession with constant activity and productivity, emphasizing instead the importance of abiding in Christ as the true source of spiritual growth and fruitfulness. Join us as he delves into John 15, illustrating how our doing should always flow f...

In this message, the second in our series, "The Critical Journey," Richie Reeder invites us on a transformative journey of discipleship. Richie explores the idea that life with God is not just about belief or behavior, but a lifelong journey of transformation. Join us as we delve into the stages of faith, with a focus on community, learning, and belonging. You can learn more about The Critical Jou...

In this message from Terry Timm, we embark on a journey of transformation that goes beyond mere belief and behavior, exploring a framework called "The Critical Journey."  Through personal reflections and biblical stories, such as the journeys of Abram and the Samaritan woman, discover how God invites us to trust, surrender, and grow in our relationship with Him. 

In this message from Katherine Sikma Wadsworth, we explore the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Through the metaphor of babies in the womb, we're invited to consider how we're constantly surrounded and nourished by God's presence. Katherine delves into the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 19, showing how God tenderly cares for us in our moments of deepest need. We're reminded that som...

In this episode, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth shares an engaging story from her honeymoon to Maui, using it as an analogy for how the Holy Spirit guides us through life. She draws on biblical references and personal experiences to illustrate the importance of listening to divine wisdom, even amidst life's struggles. Katherine reminds listeners that, just like a journey with unexpected turns, our spir...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit as the giver of life, tracing its role from the creation account in Genesis to its work in shaping Christ within us. He highlights historical and biblical foundations, such as the Nicene Creed and the birth of the church, underscoring how the Spirit nurtures our character and forms Jesus in us. The message concludes w...

In this message from Richie Reeder, we are invited to explore the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Ths talk focuses on Acts 2, where the Spirit arrives dramatically with violent winds and tongues of fire. This pivotal moment reveals three key themes: God's presence, power, and gospel proclamation. We're challenged to examine our reliance on the Holy Spirit—are we aware of His presence and...

In this message, Richie Reeder explores the story of Lydia from Acts 16 and highlights the significance of her hospitality in the early spread of Christianity. He reminds us that Lydia's openness and her role as a dealer in purple cloth symbolize how simple acts of hospitality can lead to significant spiritual impact, connecting it to our own lives. Let's consider how we can practice everyday hosp...

In this message from Terry Timm, we explore the question, "What kind of world do you want?" Through an exploration of Revelation 21 and John 13, we delvs into the transformative power of resurrection, offering a vision of a new creation where love and divine renewal shape the future. Join Terry as he guides us through the implications of living out this new command in our everyday lives.

In this message, Terry Timm explores the role of shepherding in the Christian faith, drawing connections between the legacy of Peter and the responsibilities of modern believers. He emphasizes the significance of listening to and following the Good Shepherd, Jesus, highlighting how all followers are called to act as under-shepherds, guiding others with love and care. With references to biblical te...

In this message, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth delves into the epilogue of John's Gospel, focusing on the restoration of Peter after his denial of Jesus. She draws parallels between Peter's journey and the epic conclusion of "The Lord of the Rings," emphasizing themes of return, reorientation, and repair. Katherine invites listeners to reflect on how Jesus might be revealing Himself in new ways in the...

In this message from Richie Reeder, the essence of Jesus's post-resurrection presence unfolds with profound significance. With a focus on the lectionary reading from John 20:19-31, Richie invites us to explore the themes of presence, peace, forgiveness, and realness that emerge in the encounter between Jesus and His disciples. Through storytelling and relatable insights, Richie encourages us to em...

In this Easter message from Terry Timm, we explore into the significance of the resurrection of Jesus, illustrating it as more than just the start of a new day, but as the dawning of a new kind of day. Through the lens of Matthew's gospel, Terry invites us to explore how this event represents a transformative moment in history, offering hope and a fresh perspective on life's narrative. With a focu...