Eagle Brook Church Podcast

When you try to influence something for the better, we can naturally expect things to get in the way. How do you rise above the voices of opposition without getting discouraged?

Do you ever find yourself saying, “Someday, I’ll…”—but then being disappointed when “someday” never comes? Young or old, we’re all looking for fulfillment + purpose, and it’s not always clear how to get there. But what if the first step to “someday” could happen today?

There's something impactful about being seen—noticed in a crowd. We all crave being known and shown compassion. But how often do we think about doing that for other people? Maybe it's time to zoom in, set aside your plans, and take a good look at the person in front of you. That's how influence happens—one at a time.

How can you influence the world around you for the better? Where there's brokenness and pain, there's also opportunity to rebuild. So take a look around—where can you lean in to bring healing, restoration, and hope?

Having "influence" may sound appealing to you, but do you know what it is that you want to have influence over? Narrowing in your scope of influence brings purpose to your life—that's why you need a cause.

Sometimes, life feels like it's a delicate balance of fitting in and standing out. We all want to be accepted by the group, but we also want to be known and noticed as individuals. When it comes to following Jesus, we're called to be different, because Jesus is different. But what does that look like practically, while we're living in the world?

If you've ever been hopeless, you know how it can feel: like you're out of options, hurting, and stuck in that hurt. And if you've ever been hopeful, you know how it can feel: like you're filled with joy and motivation that just can't be explained. So…how do you get from hopeless to hopeful? Paul talks about it in Romans 5—spoiler: the answer's Jesus.

"Faith" can be hard to define and even harder to practice. Paul talks about it in the 4th chapter of Romans using the example of Abraham (yeah, the guy from the Old Testament). God worked in big, unlikely ways in Abraham and his wife Sarah's story—ways they could not have dreamed of or accomplished by themselves. It's an example of how, when we trust God in the midst of things too heavy to c...

The word "righteousness" isn't new—actually, it feels pretty old and irrelevant. But how many of us truly know what it means, much less how to achieve it? We'll just go ahead and tell you: righteousness is the state of being right with God. Sounds easy-peasy, except for the fact that we’re all far from perfect. But…what if that's the point?

Have you ever felt judged? Would you consider yourself 'judgmental'? Christians can be known for being judgmental in a way that feels unloving, and it's a turn-off to the world. But Jesus did say it was ok to call others out for things they're doing wrong. So…what's the balance?

Sin. It’s not exactly what you’d call a fun conversation starter. You might be thinking: "But my stuff isn't really sinful—it’s not *that* bad. I’ll just keep on keepin’ on.” As much as you might want to avoid the conversation, sin’s destructive influence on your life is unavoidable. It's time to face it, own it, and change it.

What do you do when your relationship is going in the wrong direction? Whether you find yourself growing apart from a friend, being pulled down by a significant other, or facing a dysfunctional marriage, it's important to know when it's time to walk away—or when it's time to lean in and pursue grace + growth together.

When parenting clichés are accurate: "kids bring some of the biggest challenges + joys," and "the days are long but the years are short." It might be hard to remember in the moment, but finding the balance between love + limits can make a big difference for your family.

A long + happy marriage is #goals, but can feel out of reach when faced with reality: sharing life with someone else is messy. So, whether you've been married for 4 years or 40—dedication, perseverance, and a sense of humor are the names of the game.

Dating is complicated. It feels like a game where everyone seems to know the rules except you. Truth is, there are no rules—but there are things you can do to prepare for + improve your dating relationships. Because, if taken seriously, dating can set the stage for sharing life with someone you love...and growing in your relationship with God as you go.

The sun rose on Easter morning, just as it always does. No one knew it yet, but the world was about to change. Jesus' friends had watched him die three days before, but they were about to see him live again. It was the day that Jesus would conquer death—and that changed everything.

We all know proud people who love themselves *way too much*. But there's a difference between being an egotistical person and being proud of who you are. There's also a difference between being humble and being straight-up insecure. So how do you strike that delicate balance? Keep an eye out for warning signs of pride—and look for wise ways to seek humility.

On a scale of 1-10, how good are you at accepting advice? Maybe you're pretty receptive + open to feedback, or maybe you default to suspicion + would rather pave your own path. But here's the truth: advice is a wise thing to pursue. And wisdom helps you know when and from whom it's worth receiving.

When you don't understand something, who's your go-to? Your mom, your spouse…or Google? Whoever you trust, it's likely they don't understand all the things either. A word to the wise: put your trust in the One who does.

In a world of Amazon Prime + Instagram, it's pretty clear—we don't like to wait. Instant gratification is the name of the game. But, if we want results that truly last, it's wise to spend time developing discipline now so you can reap the rewards later.

When it comes to both your body + your emotions, your heart pretty much runs the show. It's no wonder that the book of Proverbs talks about how wise it is to "guard your heart." So… time to build your personal bubble! Just kidding—but what does it actually take to guard your heart?

Jesus was known for approaching the unapproachable of his time and providing miraculous healing—and we believe he still heals today. So whether it's a life-altering diagnosis, the childhood trauma that changed you, or anything in between, come to Jesus. He is FOR the sick.

When you're held captive by something, it controls you. You're held back by a force beyond yourself, paralyzed by that *thing*. Maybe it's fear, addiction, doubt. But the spiritual freedom Jesus offers is simple—accepting it means you don't have to be bound by that *thing* anymore. He is FOR the captive.

We’re wired to make a difference, but sometimes it’s hard to take action. Where do you start? Not only did Jesus know what it was like to be poor while he was here on earth—he also had some surprising advice for those around him when it came to making a difference. He is FOR the poor.

You know the feeling when you lose something really important? You drop everything to search until you find it. That's how God feels about people who are spiritually lost. He's not idly waiting for them to find him—he's out searching for them because they're valuable to him. He is FOR the lost.