Faith Forward Podcast - CFC Ashburn

The Bible assumes that close community is essential for spiritual transformation. And...there are MASSIVE challenges to being in the kind of close community that brings real transformation. So if I don't have it, how do I find close community? And if I have close community, how can I find an even deeper level of connection and growth? Join Brian and Jon as they share the questions that have helped...

The Great Commission - "go and make disciples" - is a life-changing invitation extended to every single follower of Jesus. For many, it also feels as if it comes with a heavy expectation of performance, self-effort, expertise, and measurable results. What could it look like to move from sharing our story for God to sharing our story WITH God? Join Brian and Jon as they share stories of learning to...

If there are 7 spiritual rhythms that help us to find true transformation, these last two are possibly the most misunderstood and the least utilized. We'll be dedicating several upcoming episodes to both Celebration and Breaking Strongholds, but join Brian and Jon now as they offer some initial suggestions and stories on how to begin incorporating these elements today.

We're briefly touching on the spiritual rhythms of prayer and daily devotion in this episode. We'll cover each of them (and the other rhythms) extensively in the coming months, but for now we want to offer some helpful suggestions on growing spiritually through small adjustments. Most of us prefer speed and efficiency, but a life with God - most of the time - is built through "a long obedience in...

Friends, we get to have joy! But...what is joy? And how on earth am I supposed to have joy in the midst of the difficulties, challenges, and heartache? Join Brian and Jon for a deeper look at the reality of joy and its genuine availability - even in the midst of our darkest moments.

Jesus loves you. That simple statement is one of the first truths learned in Sunday school. It's the absolute foundation of the Gospel. And yet we often struggle to feel it. What would it be like to FEEL God's love for us in the depth of our very being? And to feel it so strongly that it fundamentally altered the way we love others? Take the time to listen to this 2-part conversation on the transf...

If we truly know and truly experience God's love for us, it will truly change the way we love others...beginning with the way we love ourselves. Join Brian and Jon for Part 2 of this "Restore: Love" conversation as they share lessons learned about self-love and the transformational change it creates in our ability to love others.

Peace - true, lasting, deeply-settled peace - is available. Right now in this moment. That's something we all need, and Jesus is offering it. Interested? Join Brian and Jon as they describe the kind of peace that restores and transforms us from the inside out.

Though the teaching series on Ruth has ended, we're back for one last episode on "waiting." Why, you ask? Because we wanted to bring in a special guest -- Brooke Ackerman, co-Director of Middle/High School ministry -- who has some fantastic insights born out of her own extensive waiting with God. In particular, how do we love those who are in the midst of their own waiting?

After 3 weeks of sharing helpful ways to stay close to God during intense times of waiting, we thought it might be helpful to offer a few stories of our own. So come join us (Brian and Jon) as we share a few of the most challenging times of waiting, and what we learned about our connection to God in the midst of those moments.

Here's an odd question - what do we do when the waiting is over and God has come through? The answer might seem obvious, but if we're not careful we might just return to normalcy instead of embracing a new normal. If we have learned to not waste the waiting, how do we continue to stay connected as we see Him answer our prayers?

Difficult things are hard...AND God is working even when we can’t see it...so what can we do in the midst? We can acknowledge the difficulty of the situation, choose to wait actively, cultivate our relationship with God in the moment, and avoid the traps of false-comparison and minimization. Not sure how to do some (or any) of that? Join Brian and Jon as they talk about their own moments of painfu...

We're invited to be transformed by the Spirit of God in us, but how do we do that? How do we know what the Spirit is asking us to do...and is that even the most helpful question to ask? Join Brian and Jon as they talk about why it's important to follow the Spirit, what often gets in the way, and how to gain confidence in our ability to "hear."

How do I engage with the Scriptures on a regular basis in a way that brings understanding and transformation? Can I do this on my own? Do I need an expert? What do I do?! Join Brian and Jon as they discuss the rhythm of Daily Devotion and share suggestions and stories on how to engage the Scriptures in helpful and powerful ways.

The core elements of spiritual growth are the scriptures and prayer. And -- there's more! Join Brian and Jon as we talk through the 7 Rhythms of Spiritual Growth and some helpful next-steps for each that can help to truly transform our faith!

Imagine Jesus invited you on an all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii and you decided to just hang out in the airport. Crazy, right? Turns out that the story in John 8 of an angry crowd and a woman caught in adultery illustrates three major ways that we all settle for something less than the life Jesus is inviting us to live. Want to experience that life to the full? Join Brian and Jon as they discuss...

If we’re honest, we probably spend less time with God when life is good and more time when things are in crisis. And other than our doctor, that’s probably the only relationship in our life like that. When things are good we don’t ask many questions at all, and in the moments of crisis we often ask “why is this happening to me?!” How can we get better at getting closer to God in both the good mome...

Ask God. It’s the most common piece of advice we give on the Faith Forward podcasts, yet learning to “hear” God’s responses to our questions can be an exercise in frustration, confusion, and hopelessness for many. How do we know when God’s “speaking” to us and how can we get better at hearing Him? Join Brian and Jon for one of the most practical episodes yet – how do I learn to hear from God more...

Where do I truly place my hope? In the practical day-to-day, what am I hoping will bring me life, joy, comfort, and security? And if I’m being honest, why does saying “Jesus” in answer to that question sometimes feel…insufficient…compared to more seemingly tangible things like jobs, relationships, money, or power. More importantly, how could I start living in a way that feels like “life, and that...

Does it ever feel like you're trying to get closer to God but there's a velvet rope and a bouncer with a clipboard that's holding you back? That you're just not good enough, not important enough, haven't checked the right boxes to be let in? Join Brian and Jon as they share practical ways to live out the truth of Jesus' invitation..."Come to me ALL who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you...