Church for Normies

“There is a theory" quipped Douglas Adams, the science fiction author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, "which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.”  Adams' satire, aside, i...

"The proof is in the pudding..." have you hard that? Actually, that's not quite right: The actual phrase is: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating."  In other words, just having the right ingredients, delicious picture on the box, and a famous spokesman doesn't mean it's good.  Do people buy and and consume it?  Well, when it comes to The Bride of Christ, and what our Lord comm...

“Clothes make the man,"  wrote Twain. "Naked people have little or no influence on society.”  Obviously written in the absurd to elicit a chuckle, there's truth to it, both metaphorically and literally.  How one "dresses" oneself, says a lot about their inward character - how they see themselves and how they want to be seen. In this podcast, Sean discusses with Rick about his latest...

Business professor W. Edwards Deming wrote: "It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.  But nothing changes without personal transformation."  It all begins with the one in the mirror.  In this discussion of Rick's second installment of the Raising the Bar series, Rick talks about the challenges and importance of personal growth in our lives. Make sure that you liste...

"Only one life, it will soon be past.  Only what's done for Christ will last."   Now that statement is either the biggest bunch of malarky (to use a presidential term), or it's the truth. Either way, there are HUGE consequences that demand our attention.  Welcome to Rick's NEW Series entitled "Raising the Bar" - the perfect series to help you make sure that coming out of the pandemi...

In order to "live your dash" you need to know (a) where to start, (b) where to finish, and (c) acceptable behavior as you run.  How would you like to run against someone who ignored the starting gun and ran when they wanted or pushed you down so they could get ahead, or ran in your lane?  Not much of a race, right?  There are rules to be followed because the Course Marshall knows wh...

It was Mark Twain who once said, "The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog."   But loving people, not simply "getting along", really is the central key to a happy life.  What does loving people really mean?  Make sure you listen to Rick's message and then take time to listen to this podcast, as Rick and Sean dive deeper into what it means to love people so that we are c...

"Happiness is getting punched in the nose, and getting told to mind your own business."  Said no one ever! Getting involved in someone else's life doesn't seem like the best way to get the good vibes - but you'd be mistaken! In this week's podcast, Rick and Sean discuss the importance of leaning in - and there is a right way and wrong way that will ensure success, happiness, and maybe somethi...

Can you finish this statement: " How do I love thee ... "?  (If you answer: "... let me count the ways! ", you win!)   That line was made famous by Elizabeth Barrett Browning , who, because her parent's violent disapproved of her choice of husband, poet, Robert Browning, had to wed secretly and move to Europe. She wrote them regularly - but she never once received a letter back. One day,...

NOTE: This is a new audio mix.  No content was changed, but the sound engineer was lazy and didn't check the pause between the introduction and the first segment.  He has since been fired.  Sven is our new sound editor from Sweden.   When Jesus the Christ said the following words, we cannot possibly overstate what this means to humanity: “And whoever desires to be first among y...

It was Will Rogers who said, "Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie ...' until you can find a rock."   Patience and tolerance ... we all need it - and not just to get the advantage.  Here's a fact: learning to be patient, tolerant, and make allowances for others is not only a gift we give to others and ourselves (thus making it possible for us to be happy) but it might even set ple...

When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence , he mentioned that we were endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights, which include: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  And Americans DO spend time and money on that pursuit!  But are Instagrammable experiences, possessions, and money the essence of happiness?  Is happiness located only in pleasant circumst...

It was the Partridge Family (wow - is that dating me!) who sang "Come On and Get Happy", and Pharrell Williams inspired and made some great dance videos based on his song "Happy".  But - really - how do you "get" happy?  How do you define happiness?  What is the wisest, most fruitful means of finding - and giving - happiness in the world in which we live?  Given current circums...

When we think about 2020, most of us are glad it's over: "Good riddance of that terrible year!"  But Pastor Kevin makes a challenge for us: Don't carry baggage from 2020 into 2021!  It was too painful the first time - why relive it?  Make sure you check out the message, but you can catch some extras here on this podcast.  ALSO, we chat just a bit with Pastor Rick as he describe...

Merry Christmas, everybody - and Happy New Year to you!   In this week's podcast, Sean and Rick take a look at his latest message, The Greatest Story Ever Told: Worshipped by Wisemen .   If you look at the average Nativity Scene or creche, you will see three wise men bearing gifts.  In truth: they weren't there at the birth of Jesus, AND we don't know the actual number - just three...

After a month-long hiatus (thanks, COVID ... not really!), the Living Your Dash podcast returns!   Rick has been doing a Christmas mini-series called "The Greatest Story Ever Told" - and this week we unpack his message, "Announced by Angels."   Let's reframe things a bit by posing a question: What's the Greatest Story you've ever heard?  The greatest that HUMANITY itself has ever he...

This week's podcast is very special because we're getting a nice variety of voices:  First, Pastor Barry Anderson was the first - and so far ONLY - staff member to have been hit by the Coronavirus.  Barry talks candidly about his experience and the importance of having a good support system Next, Pastor Kevin Price discusses his message from this past week and the crucial importance of p...

UPDATE: We've uploaded a corrected version.  The original podcast was produced with an error - if you listened to 5 minutes of silence, you are our hero!   The French moralist Luc de Clapiers wrote that "Patience is the art of hoping."  In this week's podcast, Rick and Sean continue their discussion of Rick's new series, "ME", as we learn how God transforms us so that we can love ot...

A "masterpiece" is defined as "a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship."  If I say "Mona Lisa", you would say DaVinci; If I said, "Starry Night", you'd say VanGogh; if I said Stradivarious, you'd say violin.  You get the picture.   But what if I said, YOUR name?  Would you immediately get the picture of God the Father smiling with great delight, and getting excite...

Dr. M. Scott Peck wrote: "Emotional sickness is avoiding reality at any cost. Emotional health is facing reality at any cost."  Whether we're self-aware of it or not, NO ONE goes untouched by the negative - or postitive - labels that others have placed on us.  It can lead to powerful transformation, or shackle us in insecurity, projected fault-finding, paranoia, suffering silently in ign...

"What is it you want?" Has anyone ever asked you that question?  Maybe it was at the drive-thru, maybe it was your boss, maybe it was your spouse or children?  What if it was the king of the most powerful empire on earth?  That's what Nehemiah was asked by King Artaxerxes, and how he answered has great implications for the rest of us.  Join Rick - as THIS time, the tables are t...

It's hard to believe but this is the first podcast of SEASON 2! Thanks so much for making this podcast so successful! In this week's podcast, Rick will be wrapping up his comments on his latest series, "Finding Hope".  If you've reached the breaking point of pandemic fatigue or perhaps a crisis in your life, or are weary and anxious from the never-ending barrage of bad news, you can find your...

The events of 2020 have caused a lot of us to long for resolve of one kind or another.  Anger and anxiety are the fruit of unresolved frustration.  But it doesn't have to be that way.  David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, encouraged us in Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord", that doesn't make it easier.  So, if obeying and honoring the...

Perhaps it's just our perception, but it seems as if every time you open the news, or check social media, we're reminded of how hopeless our world is.  We sigh, complain and flame - but is it helpful?  Are things truly as bad as they are?   Even if they are, how can God's Word, through the prophet Habakkuk, show us that no matter how grim things look God knows how to make hope...

The Christian Bible is, without doubt, the most published and best-selling book in history  ... and yet, 35% of Americans say they never think about using the Bible outside of Sunday and only 9% read the Bible daily.  If faith comes by hearing and hearing from the word of Christ ... the great pandemic of 2020 is the least of our problems.  This past week, our Student Ministries Past...