Messages

We all search for wisdom and guidance. Whether Google or Wikipedia, or skimming the latest self-help bestseller, trying to read our way into a better life is quite common. But what about the Bible? Is it still a place worth looking for wisdom? Is it a book that's actually worth reading? Can reading the Bible really change anything at all?

It's not unusual to download our thoughts and struggles, joys and successes, to our most trusted friends; sharing what's going on in our lives in order to gain the support and insight of others. But what about sharing our inner thoughts with God? Is that really possible? And if so, is it worth it? Does God really hear us? Can praying make any difference in my life?

Most of us would admit that our lives are fairly ordinary, even mundane at times. Those who describe themselves as spiritual or religious typically lead similarly unspectacular lives, leading many to wonder if "ordinary" is all there is. Is it possible to actually experience something supernatural and divine in the midst of our otherwise ordinary lives? How does our experience of life and connecti...

It's a common belief that you have to use your words to get what you want. From arguing to asking, we try to wordsmith our way to get what we're after. But what happens when our arguing with others stands in the way of our asking of God? What does it take to become a voice God can use? Where should we start if we want change the tone of our voice?

We all know the kind of person who, when they speak, people perk up and listen. But how do we become that person? What has to change in order to find the voice of wisdom? What does it take to become the kind of people who only use wise words?

We all strive to be right, to get to the top, and to make the most of ourselves. But Jesus said we should embrace the lowest standing. So how do we actually live this out? What if our life together mattered more than our rightness and promotion? How can we embrace the gospel as humility?

From politics to religion and from business to social settings, fighting to have your say and fighting to get your way seems to be a way of life. But how should we learn to talk if we want to actually have influence? And what should we avoid if we're going to become people who truly find our voice?

Some studies have shown that the average person says more than 10,000 words in a day, but that only 500-700 are words of "significance," as in, communicating something important to an active listener. So what should we think of all this hot air flowing from our mouths? Does it really matter how we use our voice? What does all our talking ultimately say about us?

Friendship is hard work. And sometimes choosing good friends means letting go of others. What if the next step in pursuing meaningful friendships means pruning the less healthy ones in the process? How can our friends help us grow spiritually? What will it take to experience truly life changing friendships?

Friendship would be much easier if our friends could just get their act together. If only they would "this" or "that," then they'd be the friends we really need. But is that the missing ingredient to having better friendships? What will it take to have the friends we've always wished our friends would be?

An African proverb suggests, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." For many of us, our fast-paced lives make it seem like the only option is to go alone, and friendships can get left in the dust of all the other things we're pursuing. So, do we really need friends? What's the benefit of living as though friendship matters?

A new year. A fresh start. A chance to set goals. A chance to dream big. A chance to resolve. But of all life's resolutions, are there some that are more significant than others? What's the most critical resolution of all? Join us for Starting Point as we kick off the year together looking at life's greatest resolution!

To add some “holy” to your holidays, join us for this morning’s service happening at 10:00am across all our locations. As this year comes to an end, what role has God played in your life? And on the cusp of a new one, what role could God play in the year to come? Gathering as a community for a time of music, reflection, story and scripture can help guide our hearts as we make this transition toget...

Christmas is seen as a time of joy and wonder, sacredness and significance. But it’s easy to get tripped in the potholes of busyness, consumerism, and worst of all, fights about the “reason(s?!) for the season.” In a world as polarized as ours, one of those traps is the “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy Holidays” debate. What SHOULD we say? What CAN we say? What CAN’T we say? And most of all, how do...

In religious circles, the "faithful" seem to be those who consistently plunk themselves into the same seat, pew or auditorium chair week after week, Sunday after Sunday; sitting, singing and praying all the right words at all the right times. But is such a routine actually life-giving faith or dying ritual? How can we save our faith from the kind of faith that will never save us?

It's a common perception that only certain kinds of people can step into a church. Those who have it together. Those who've "paid their dues." Those who are ready and able to put on their "Sunday best." But what if this country club mentality is the biggest faith fail of all? What will it take to steer clear of the sin of "country club" faith?

We've all experienced it... The Facebook rant, the TV preacher, the lunch room diatribe; people who like to spew opinions into the world. And this can seem most frequent with religious people. But is that what religion is about? Saying the right words to anyone who will listen? When all is said and done, what matters most in religion: the "said" or the "done"?

Seeing differently leads to living differently, starting wherever God's placed us. So how can we embrace a lifestyle of mutual mission? How can we begin to make a mutual difference? When we learn to see, what opportunities might be right before our eyes?

As a member of the Southridge community for more than a decade, Allison Alley has recently been appointed the future President & CEO of our global partner, Compassion Canada. It's been an incredible journey of seeing and receiving more than she could have ever asked or imagined, and today we have an opportunity to be a part of the story like never before.

Raised in one of the largest and poorest slums on the African continent, Jey Mbiro has experienced the radical transformation made possible through child sponsorship. But that's not the end of his story. Because not only has Jey been on the receiving end of global mission, he now lives a life of global mission. Join us as he shares his story of hope and possibility.

The gap between the global rich and the global poor is substantial. In North America we "have" a lot, and in some parts of the world, people don't "have" nearly as much. But is this the whole picture? Or are we missing something? What if we could redefine the gap between "rich" and "poor" and realize there might be more than meets the eye?

On October 17th, consumption of marijuana will become legalized in Canada. Whatever you think of this change, we can all agree it's a smoking hot topic. So what does this mean for Jesus followers? What should we do with new found freedom? How do we navigate the variety of opinions and perspectives? And at the end of the day, who's to say whether Christians can get high?

We all want to be happy. But what does that really mean? Do we know what it looks like? Do we know what we're after? What if there's something better to pursue than mere happiness? If so, then where do we look to find it?

When life is hard, we find ourselves asking: Why? Why me? Why this? Why now? Why, God? And the pain of uncertainty only makes the hard things harder. So what can we do with that? How can we better understand God when we can't understand the "why"?

The accumulation of wealth is one of the highest goals of our society, usually out of a desire to gain safety and security for ourselves and those we love. But what do we lose in this process? Is it possible that having less enables us to have more of what really counts?