Grace Free Church Talks

We’re going there; the touchy topic of anger. A leading player in relationship complications, anger is just part of the iceberg above the water. Let’s dissect this complex emotion and discuss how to communicate it correctly. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

God's compassion and mercy are beautiful and boundless. We can admire Him for that and be grateful, but...is that it? Should we keep Him to ourselves? This talk digs deep into how God’s goodness should change our lives. (Talk by Josh Daubert)

As Christians, we have been called by God to live a life that demonstrates His great love for man. It’s not what we look like, but how we live. It’s not presentation but perspective. It’s not an issue of appearances but of attitudes. (Talk by Jim Williams)

As Christians, we have been called by God to live a life that demonstrates His great love for man. It’s not what we look like, but how we live. It’s not presentation but perspective. It’s not an issue of appearances but of attitudes. (Talk by Jim Williams)

The tongue holds the power of life and death. The words we say can deeply devastate or encourage greatly. It’s our choice to make. We don’t usually stop long enough to make a calculated choice. And that pause makes a world of difference. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

Resentment starts small. By holding onto hurt, embarassment, disappointment, frustration, and anger, we create fertile ground for resentment to thrive. It’s ugly and messy. But with a few simple keys and intention, we can experience freedom. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

Relationships are complicated, even disappointing, and painful at times. But they are also necessary; we were made for them. Through them, we grow. Relational health determines the richness of our lives. When handled intentionally, our relationships can be beautiful and genuinely fulfilling. They can be all they are meant to be when we give God control. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

There are some uncomfortable places to not have the answers; like helping your kids with homework, or giving your opinion after totally spacing out. Then there are some unbearable spaces to not know. It can feel impossible to move forward when hung up one of life’s big questions. That’s where trusting God comes into play, and it makes all the difference. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

(Talk by Joshua Ott)

We love to be comfortable. Everyone’s got things, people, or places they go to for comfort. They are blessings to be grateful for. But sometimes the pursuit of comfort turns into a goal, the be- all, end-all of existence...which is when we miss out on what God has for us. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

Wrestling with doubt is something we all do. Going through rough times amplifies our questions. But asking questions is essential to growth. It pushes us to examine our faith, developing and strengthening it. Though, at times, doubt can be dangerous. The difference is knowing how to handle it. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

Discouragement is part of life. Where we go amid discouragement is important. Two disciples, barely mentioned in the Bible, encountered Jesus on the day of His resurrection. They were wandering, confused, and letdown. Jesus knew exactly what they needed...and He knows what we need too. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

(Talk by Joshua Ott)

(Talk by Joshua Ott)

A critical point in a situation beyond which a significant and unstoppable effect or change takes place. One experience can change the direction of our lives. But sometimes, that tipping point eludes us. It’s frustrating when hope never becomes a reality. In this talk, we’re looking honestly at the ultimate tipping point. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

Has a close friend ever sat you down for a sobering conversation? One that, if you weren’t talking with a friend, would have been offensive or painful? But knowing the conversation came from a deep place of concern and love, you were able to take it in the right context. Jesus spoke plainly, because of His great love for us. Knowing God’s heart is key to understanding His message. (Talk by Joshua...

It’s the age-old question: Why am I here? The longer it goes unanswered, the more restless we become. Our souls get agitated; we look for a scapegoat and finally settle in defeat. But take heart because there is an answer. Discovering it is a journey. Knowing your “why” leads to fulfillment essential to your world. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

We tend to think more money, a new job, or a different relationship is the key to happiness. That adding or subtracting the right elements will equal contentment. Read “everything would be perfect if only...” But contentment is not math or found in a greener pasture. It’s a state of being. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

Is God an unrelenting tyrant? Is He a pushover? Does He waiver, making demands of us sometimes and taking an apathetic stance toward others? We know God reigns, but how? With the aid of a simple parable, this Talk reveals the extraordinary character of God and our relationship with Him. (Talk by Don Baker)

We tend to be our own biggest resister when we hold ourselves up to unrealistic expectations. But growth is not linear; it’s messy. Without God’s grace, we blame ourselves for the mess and miss out. Let’s take a deeper look at the key to spiritual growth. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

Resistance makes life harder. It can come from friends, parents, peers, and employers, and it starts before we even take our first steps in the right direction. Giving into cynicism is choosing defeat. But we can learn how to turn down those critical voices and resist the resisters. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

Life pulls us in so many directions. There's no shortage of voices, opinions, and expectations. In all the noise, it can be hard to pinpoint what’s really important. But if we slow down, quiet down, and listen for God, we find He is not only with us, but speaking to us too. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

Small things can make a big difference. A smile. A “thank you.” The final piece to a puzzle. Sometimes the absence of that little thing is detrimental. Be encouraged; maybe the thing you need this year is something really little, like small faith, placed in a really big God. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

If you’ve ever felt hopeless, like there was no way out and no proof that anything would change, surrounded by enemies - you’re not alone. In scripture, we have countless examples of God working miracles amid tragic circumstances. The key is placing trust in God. It’s listening for His voice and following through, no matter how counterintuitive the direction seems. (Talk by Joshua Ott)

Understanding God’s holiness is key to knowing Him. Our culture has a tendency to downplay who God is; He’s a genie, a myth, or some distant entity we could never hope to understand. Since we aren’t equal to God, it can be challenging to view Him accurately. Let’s take a renewed look at God and His defining characteristics. (Talk by Don Baker)