HOTLCAST

Send us Fan Mail Using the world of video games as his lens, Pastor Cyle challenges his congregation to recognize the difference between life's endless "side quests" — hobbies, sports, schedules, and responsibilities — and the one thing that truly matters: knowing Jesus and making Him known. Anchored in Luke 10 and the story of Mary and Martha, the message calls out the danger of be...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the HOTLCast, Cyle, Matt, Ryan, and Mark dive into what it really means to be stuck — whether it's relationally, emotionally, financially, or spiritually — and what it takes to break free. Drawing from a real-life sandbar rescue in Florida, the guys share vulnerable personal stories about the seasons they've been stuck and how godly community made all...

Send us Fan Mail Drawing from Matthew 7:24–27 and 2 Corinthians 6:2, Pastor Cyle challenges the congregation to stop delaying action on life's hidden problems. Using a vivid personal story of getting stranded on a sandbar in the Florida Keys as an approaching storm closed in, he illustrates that storms don't create problems — they expose them. The message calls listeners to build their l...

Send us Fan Mail In this Easter special edition of the HOTLCast, Cyle, Cody, Ryan, and Mark dive deep into why the empty tomb matters more than most Christians realize — and how living resurrection life looks radically different from a shame-and-guilt cycle. With warmth, humor, and real talk, the guys challenge listeners to stop going back to their old tombs and start walking in the new life Jesus...

Send us Fan Mail In this Easter message, Pastor Cyle declares that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event but a present-day power available to every person. Anchored in Matthew 28 and Romans 8:11, the sermon reveals that the stone wasn't rolled away to let Jesus out — it was moved so we could see in. The central application calls every listener to stop revisiting th...

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Cody Morehead and the team at The Lodge sit down to talk about why student ministry is one of the most powerful investments a family can make. From summer camps to spontaneous gas station hangouts, they unpack how fun builds the foundation for lasting faith. If you have a teenager — or care about one — this episode is for you.

Send us Fan Mail On Palm Sunday, the crowds shouted "Hosanna" — a word meaning "save us" — as Jesus entered Jerusalem, yet within days most had disappeared when the cost became real. Drawing from John 12, Luke 19, Psalm 118, and Zechariah 9:9, this message calls us to move beyond emotional celebration and surface-level worship toward genuine surrender. The true meaning of Palm...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the HOTL Cast, Cyle, Matt, Ryan, and Mark dive deep into their "False Idols" series with an honest, unfiltered conversation about the idol of self — how we subtly (and not so subtly) put ourselves at the center of our own worship. With raw personal stories and pastoral wisdom, the guys explore how trading self-exaltation for true humility is the only p...

Send us Fan Mail In the final message of the False Idols series, Pastor Cyle confronts the most dangerous idol of all — the self. Drawing from Genesis 3, Luke 9, Romans 1, Jeremiah 17, Proverbs 3, and Galatians 2:20, he traces the root of self-worship from the Garden of Eden to modern American culture, showing how the human heart naturally elevates personal will, feelings, and pride above God. The...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the HOTLCast, Cyle, Matt, Mark, and Ryan dive deep into a series on modern-day idols — but with a twist: the focus is on the spiritual traps that trip up even the most devoted believers. From the "Corinth Trap" of knowledge without love, to the danger of church-hopping and spiritual superiority, the crew gets real about the idols hiding in plain sight...

Send us Fan Mail Idols may seem like something from ancient history—golden statues and carved images worshiped in temples. But the truth is, idolatry hasn’t disappeared. It has simply changed form. In this message, we explore how the human heart still creates idols today—often through things that look good, desirable, or even harmless. Success, reputation, relationships, comfort, politics, enterta...

Send us Fan Mail What if your greatest blessings have quietly become your biggest distractions? In this honest conversation, the hosts explore how everyday things—sports, hobbies, even church attendance metrics—can shift from blessings to idols without us realizing it. Through personal stories and practical wisdom, they offer a roadmap for recognizing when good things demand too much of our hearts...

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Cyle challenges the congregation to examine what truly controls their hearts beyond the obvious statues and golden calves of ancient times. Through personal stories—including his struggle with Michigan football fandom—he reveals how modern idols hide in our priorities, screen time, relationships, and even ministry success. The message calls believers to replace competing lo...

Send us Fan Mail Join hosts Cyle, Cody, and Ryan as they tackle the crucial difference between guilt and shame through hilarious personal stories and genuine pastoral wisdom. From lost snorkel masks to a legendary Krispy Kreme incident, they explore how confession, community, and faith help us move from paralyzing shame to healthy accountability. Whether you're struggling with past mistakes o...

Send us Fan Mail Drawing from a humorous snorkeling mishap, Pastor Cyle unpacks the crucial difference between guilt and shame. While guilt says "I did a bad thing" and leads to restoration, shame says "I am a bad person" and keeps us trapped in the enemy's lies. Through Romans 3:23 and Romans 8:1, he reminds us that God doesn't label us by our failures—He calls us Hi...

Send us Fan Mail Join Matt, Mark, and Ryan as they explore how our expectations can limit what God has in store for us. Through honest stories about careers, family planning, and daily struggles, the hosts reveal how surrendering our plans to God often leads to something far better than we imagined. This conversation offers practical wisdom on balancing intentionality with trust, complete with a c...

Send us Fan Mail In this message from Heart O' The Lakes Church, we explore the tension between our personal plans and God's greater purpose for our lives. Drawing from Isaiah 55:8-9, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Philippians 3:13-14, this sermon challenges us to release our ideals and expectations, listen for God's voice in the silence, and trust that His path—though often harder—leads to so...

Send us Fan Mail Join the HOTLCast crew as they dive deep into why sharing our stories is so transformative. Through personal experiences and honest conversation, Ryan, Matt, Mark, and Cody, explore how vulnerability breaks down isolation, builds authentic community, and reveals God's work in our lives. Whether you're struggling to open up or wondering if your story matters, this episode...

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Cyle teaches that healthy relationships require intentional rules and boundaries, not just passion. Drawing from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and practical wisdom, he shares how "future us survives present us" through clear communication, quick repentance, faithful promises, prayer, and releasing bitterness. The message challenges listeners to apply biblical pr...

Send us Fan Mail Join Cyle, Ryan, Cody, and Mark as they navigate the messy, hilarious, and deeply practical world of relationship conflict resolution. What starts as a conversation about viral slap-fighting videos quickly transforms into honest insights about healthy communication, the importance of trusted mediators, and why rock-paper-scissors might actually be relationship genius. This episode...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like you're just guessing your way through relationships—hoping you say the right thing or avoid the wrong buttons? In this message, Pastor Kyle reveals why so many relationships struggle: we're relying on guesswork instead of guardrails. Drawing from his own marriage, Cyle shares how he and his wife Patty created 169 specific rules to navigate communication, c...

Send us Fan Mail Join Cyle, Carver, Matt, and Mark as they explore what it means to truly treat others the way you want to be treated. From navigating middle school friendships to honoring people in their final moments, this conversation dives into the heart of building authentic community. Discover practical ways to invest in relationships before it's too late and learn how one church transf...

Send us Fan Mail Pastor Cyle explores the timeless Golden Rule established 3,500 years ago and how it's the foundation for every relationship in our lives. From family and friends to enemies and strangers, discover why treating others the way you want to be treated isn't just good advice—it's the heart of following Jesus. Learn the difference between the Golden Rule, Silver Rule, an...

Send us Fan Mail Join Cyle, Cody, Ryan, and Mark for a candid conversation about marriage, community, and the power of influence in our daily lives. From newlywed wisdom to middle school ministry moments, the hosts explore how the people we surround ourselves with shape who we become. They dive deep into 1 Corinthians 15:33 and discuss why authentic Christian community matters more than we realize...

Send us Fan Mail Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15:33, Pastor Cyle unpacks his life verse to reveal how the people, media, and ideas we surround ourselves with slowly reshape our character from the inside out. Through personal stories from his college years and practical modern applications, he challenges the congregation to examine their influences—from social media accounts to friendships—and make i...