Growing Hope Living Faith

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the lectionary passages and the themes they point to. Looking at Ephesians, this passage truly points us to a place of peace and fullness. This is only done when Christ is the center of it all and pushes us to equality and grace in Him. There is no better thing to experience and journey into than the fullness of God. This is done, not in our s...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the political climate in the US and what the Christian response should be. It is so easy to get focused on the poltical situations and to demonize and do away with people who disagree with us. It is also easy to use scripture in ways that magnify your person and positions, even though scripture was never meant to be used that way. So what do w...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the prophetic passage from lectionary. It is important to have some understanding of what a prophet was, and the situation they were walking into in order to get a clearer understanding of what they are trying to say. Amos came from the south, but ministered to the north. This was not very welcomed, but he did come with a warning. Either turn...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth look at suffering and lament and it's place in the christian faith. We often push away from these things, but the bible places quite a bit of emphasis on these things and how we participate in them. As much as we respond to suffering in our lives, the question should arise in how do we respond to the suffering that takes place in the world and in...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the anointing of David, and its importance to the walk of faith. David was very unassuming and even though everyone else had written David off as not a possibility, God knew who He wanted. This passage is great in setting up the reality of Jesus and what will be the true implementation of the Kingdom of God. God looks at the heart whole others...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the fall of humanity and Israels decision to want a king rather than allow God to be king. This is the same problem that has been resurfacing over and over. We see it in scripture and we have the same questions and issues today. Who are we going to allow to be our king? Are we going to look around and see the world and desire what they have? W...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss this weeks lectionary passage of Romans and its importance within the theme of pentecost. It is important to understand the context of who Paul was writing too, and this is part of the weeks conversation. As followers of Jesus, we have such a great hope and Paul speaks to that hope. Even if we suffer now, we know that we are heirs with Christ,...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the Ascension and its importance to the christian faith. It is within the ascension that we hear the beautiful promise of the sending of the Holy Spirit, which will bring power to God's people. This is also the final call that Jesus places on His people. To go to your hometown, he surrounding are, and even the ends of the earth, declaring...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the church and its future. It often time is so hard to project where things are going, but if the church wants to flourish, then we must try. Some of the things talked about can be scary and intimidating, but we must be open to change and adaptation. We have to be willing to shift our thought process and see things for what they are. It is an...

Today, we are recasting our interview with Dr. Carla Sunberg. This was such a great conversation abut ministry and the challenges that she faced pursuing her call and pursuit of leadership. These challenges are not just present for her journey, but have been present in many others pursuit of the call. A book is referenced in the podcast, and you can get the book, Faithful To The Call , by clicking...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss Holy Week and the importance for the believer. They also discuss the John passage of lectionary, looking at the empty tomb story. This is so pivotal for all who follow Jesus, and we are so thankful for the empty tomb. Know that you are loved and we are praying for you as you complete this Lent season and move towards Pentecost. #GrowingHopeLiv...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the gospel passage and its place in Lent as Jesus heads towards Jerusalem. The time has come for Jesus to be glorified and start his final trip to Jerusalem. In this passage, Jesus talks about the reality of death and life. Those who lose their life now, will gain it, and those that love their life now will lose it. In order for growth and fru...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the lectionary passages for the 4th Sunday of Lent. In it, they discuss the OT passage of the poisonous snakes attacking the people of Israel for their grumbling, and how it relates to the NT passage in John 3, in which Jesus references that event. John 3 is a passage that we are all very familiar with, and though it has implications for the f...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the OT passage of the lectionary reading. Honing in on the 10 commandments, they discuss their importance and what we could truly learn from them. How awesome would it have been if God only had to give us 10, and we could have learned to allow those to lead our lives and how we treat people. The fact is though that God had to continue to add m...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the 2nd Sunday of Lent focusing on the Genesis and Romans passage. These passages show the faith of Abraham. God promised Abraham to make him a great nation in Genesis. Even though he was old, God told him that he was going to bless all nations through him even though he had no son yet. The Romans passages points to the faith of Abraham and Sa...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss Lent, looking at Ash Wednesday and the 1st Sunday of Lent. Lent is such a pivotal time for the church and its body, as it is a time of remembering the reality that all shall return to dust. Often times, we give up something during in the season of Lent. This allows us to connect with the suffering of Christ, putting us in a better position to...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the presenting of Jesus in temple, per the customs of Jewish culture. Jesus is presented, and it is in this presentation that we Have Simeon and Anna bless and declare the realities of Christ and His coming kingdom. What an amazing and scary thing it must have been for Mary and Joseph. This potentially could have never happened, but it was ver...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth continue the discussion on the call from last week as they look at the Jonah passage in the lectionary. Jonah is such an awesome character in the bible, and there is so much that we can learn from him and his story. The bigger picture in Jonah though is, how much we learn about God and who He is. In this story, we see the realities of a loving, gracio...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the call of Samuel, and then discuss calls they have experienced in life. Pastor Rhonda talks about her call to writing music and Pastor Seth talks about his call to Trevecca and ministry. We are so glad that God is calling all people to Himself to be apart of what He is doing in the world. It started with a guy named Abraham, we see it in the...

In this, the last episode of the year, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the last theme of Advent, Love. This is a central theme and really does tie all of the Advent themes together. It is love that truly brought about the coming of Christ, and we see love lived out in the acceptance of the call that Mary has. How do we live out these themes of Advent? How do we allow the Advent themes to be...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the 3rd week of Advent and the theme of Joy. Joy is such a wonderful thing in the life of the believer and is distinctly different than happiness. The world can take away our happiness, but the joy we receive from God can never be taken away. We have a a reason to have joy. We have a God that loves and has never left us. He sent His son for us...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the second week of Advent and its implications in our lives. It is so easy to get caught up in this season of life, and it can be anything but peaceful. The call, just like God gave to Isaiah and John though, is to usher in peace even in the midst of hard, frustrating, and difficult times. We can look around and see the brokeness of the church...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss Advent, it's importance, and look at the first theme of Advent which is hope. Advent is such an awesome season of the church, and it begins the new year of the church. There really is no greater reset, than to remember Jesus' first coming and to wait/keep watch for His second coming. We do this by making sure that we live well while we...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss church worship and its importance. As Pastor Rhonda has been writing and creating beautiful songs, it has really brought about some great conversation on songs and why they matter. For so many, the sermon is the most important thing on Sundays and the songs are just prep. We believe that this is the furtherest from the truth though. Songs matt...

In this episode, Pastor Rhonda and Pastor Seth discuss the Thanksgiving season and its importance in the church. It is so important that Thanksgiving is apart of our faith, but Thanksgiving is so much more than just a feeling. It is easy to get caught up in the moments of life, and have a feeling of thankfulness as we move on to the next things. Thanksgiving is more than just a feeling though, and...