CrossWalk Community Church Napa

The plain reading of the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant leaves one with a simple cautionary tale reminding the reader to offer forgiveness or suffer the consequences. But how does such a story fit after Jesus told Peter to forgive 77 or 490 times, when the king cannot forgive even twice? And how are we to define God's forgiveness when it appears to be dependent on our own forgiving behavior? Is...

Enjoy this teaching from guest speaker and author, Rev. Bethany Meier-Evans, sharing themes from her recently published book, Queer Joy!

Jesus’ parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus turns conventional assumptions about wealth, poverty, and God’s blessing upside down. The rich man lives in extraordinary luxury behind a gate, while Lazarus, desperately poor and suffering from illness, lies outside hoping for scraps. Yet after both men die, their circumstances are dramatically reversed: Lazarus is welcomed alongside Abraham, while the r...

What happens when we strip away centuries of interpretation and hear a familiar parable with fresh ears? In this exploration of one of Jesus' most provocative stories, we journey back to the hillsides of ancient Galilee and discover that the Parable of the Tenants may carry a meaning far more radical and far more personal than we ever imagined. We dig into the economic realities of first-century J...

What if one of Jesus's most unsettling parables was never meant to make us feel comfortable in the first place? In Matthew 20, the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard drops us into a scene that feels deeply unfair: workers hired at the last hour receive the same pay as those who labored all day in scorching heat. Our instinct is to side with the all-day workers, and that reaction is exactly th...

What if the most dangerous place you have ever been is not somewhere out in the world, but somewhere deep inside yourself? That is the startling revelation at the heart of this remarkable story. A woman who climbed to the summit of the highest mountain on Earth discovered that the real battle was not fought on ice and rock, but in a tent at base camp, wrestling with decades of pain, shame, and the...

Enjoy this teaching by Rev. Shavon Walker.

What does it mean to truly come alive? That question sits at the heart of this rich and searching exploration of Words of Life. Drawing from John 6, we encounter a striking and sobering moment in the story of Jesus: a crowd of thousands who gathered for miracles and abundance dwindles to a handful when the cost of genuine spiritual commitment becomes clear. Jesus turns to the remaining twelve and...

Suffering is one of the few experiences every human being shares. Yet while none of us can avoid pain, we can choose how we respond to it.   In this week's teaching, we'll explore the surprising story of Korah and his descendants, discover how ancient Israel learned to transform tragedy into worship, and uncover why the Psalms of lament may be one of Scripture's greatest gifts to those who are hur...

This teaching invites us to discover that joy is less about changing our circumstances and more about changing how we see. Drawing from the teachings of Jesus, the Apostle Paul, the Psalms, and voices like Mary Oliver, Rumi, and Mother Teresa, it explores how cultivating our inner life transforms the way we experience ourselves, others, and the world. Rather than being consumed by distraction and...

This powerful exploration of generosity invites us to reimagine what it means to give in three transformative dimensions. Drawing from both Christian and Buddhist wisdom traditions, we discover that generosity extends far beyond writing checks or dropping coins in collection plates. The teaching unfolds through three beautiful movements: material giving, giving freedom from fear, and spiritual giv...

Jesus' first "sermon" after his post-baptism wilderness journey was in his home synagogue.  He read a passage from Isaiah that most of his hearers associated with the coming messiah, or anointed one.  After reading, he simply said, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it."  That got the crowd pretty excited.      Perhaps the more intriguing thing Jesus said, as Rev. Dr. Angie...

What if one of the greatest keys to lasting joy is not found in pursuing happiness for ourselves, but in learning to see others—and ourselves—with deeper compassion? In this inspiring installment of the Joy series, we explore compassion as one of the essential pillars of joy, drawing wisdom from The Book of Joy, the teachings of Jesus, and the lives of remarkable spiritual leaders including the Da...

What if the conversation about LGBTQ inclusion isn't really about winning an argument, but about discovering a deeper understanding of God, Scripture, and one another? In Pride and Joy, Pastor Pete Shaw shares his personal journey from a traditional Baptist upbringing to becoming an advocate for LGBTQ affirmation. Along the way, he invites readers to examine the beliefs they inherited, the assumpt...

As you will learn from the examples of Joseph in Genesis, the Apostle Paul, and former inmate Anthony Ray Hinton, gratitude may play an outsized role in our pursuit of joy. Gratitude does not erase suffering, excuse injustice, or remove disappointment. What it does is help us recognize that pain is not the whole story. It reminds us that even in difficult seasons, goodness remains present and avai...

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging aspects of being human. Most of us carry a list of people we struggle to forgive—whether they are public figures, distant acquaintances, close family members, former friends, or even ourselves. Yet forgiveness stands at the center of Jesus’ teaching, not as an optional spiritual practice but as an essential part of following him. The story of Joseph in Ge...

Angie Barker-Jackson offers compelling words about acceptance of reality in our pursuit of joy. This powerful message invites us to embrace one of life's most challenging yet transformative spiritual practices: acceptance. Drawing from the story of Joseph in Genesis 39, we discover that accepting what is does not mean resignation or defeat, but rather creates the only place where real change can b...

"Laughter is the best medicine." Humor has a surprising way of healing individuals and relational rifts as well. It's not laughing matter - taking humor seriously just might create greater peace in the world.

Pride and egocentrism is a joy thief. How did the lack of humility show up in the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50? What do the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu have to say about humility and joy? How does our personality type impact our egotistical expression?

Perspective can make an enormous difference in our experience of life, including the amount of joy we feel.

Hear Michael Gungor's thoughts on joy.

Somedays it feels like the world is crashing in. We feel overwhelmed. Easter's resurrection stories serve as a reminder that joy is present as well, waiting to be found. This is not a silver lining - the joy doesn't justify the suck. But the joy is present as a reminder that no matter how awful things are, it's not all awful.

Easter reminds us that no matter what the circumstances - good and bad alike - the loving presence of God is with us, and will be forevermore. No matter what, "This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

During the last week of Jesus' life, how was he able to maintain his shalom ethos? Surely he was tempted toward self-aggrandizement, or anger, or frustration, or defeat, or egocentrism. How did he stay on center?

How do we think about money? Who was our model of how we relate to money? Is it possible that there is a richer way to living than building and hoarding as much as possible for ourselves? Is there a way that flows with life, love, and God?