Mill Creek Church

Caring for foster children can be difficult, frustrating and even devastating. They often live on the fringes of our lives and maybe we would be more comfortable if they would just stay there. But the love of Jesus pushes us to do more, to be more. Join us for a special conversation around this important topic and the ways God is challenging the Creek to do more.

We remember the Lord’s mercy to two ends: first, that we might be aware of how it should shape our relationship with him, and second, that we might be aware of how it should shape our relationships with others. If we experience the grace of God and remain unchanged, we have missed the point entirely. As vessels of His forgiveness, that change should carryover into our personal relationships.

For believers, Lent can allow us to return to the state of heart and mind that we were in when we first approached Christ, aware of our need for him. The further we depart from this awareness, the less we are able to be who God has called us to be. Yes, God is merciful. So, let us make our hearts tender toward that mercy by handling it with gentle hands, rather than approaching God with demanding,...

The amazing story of God's love for broken people can be hard to comprehend but change our lives once we embrace it. God loves you and wants you to tell others about his love. What has God’s love compelled you to go out into the world and do?

The story of the criminals crucified with Jesus is unique in that it doesn’t line up with a lot of neat theological systems. Being rewarded with a promise of paradise doesn’t fit into any sort of procedure or process. He isn’t baptized; he doesn’t say the “sinner’s prayer”; he doesn’t publicly confess any creed. But for Jesus, his simple statement of reliance is sufficient.

It is possible to grow up in the church and attend every Sunday but never feel welcome or at home there. Or to be in the church and understand grace only from a business perspective, like the older brother, and not see and apply it like the father. Being lost isn’t about where you are or what you have done but about who you know: Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Trying to understand the unconditional love of God is not easy. It sounds good but it's not for me. I'm too far from God, I've done too much. Yet Jesus shares amazing stories that describe his Father's love. No matter what you have done or left undone, the Father is ready to welcome you home.

Many of us deeply regret our harmful past behavior and our missed opportunities. But by holding onto these regrets, we limit the healing God desires to do in us and the purpose he yearns to perform through us. As we acknowledge our regrets and let go of the pain we have caused those we loved, we can receive grace and forgiveness with the help of God and others.

Each new year brings the opportunity for a fresh start—a chance to let go of the old and welcome in the new. Yet, of all the changes we can make this year, the most important of all is becoming a new creation through a relationship with Jesus! In order to receive the new of Jesus, we have to let go of some old.

Kim is back on the podcast! The end of the year is always a great time to look back at what God has done and celebrate his goodness. It's an opportunity to look ahead and explore where God might be taking us. Join us for a wonderful time giving thanks for God's faithfulness.

We prepare our house for when company comes over—especially for special guests or family members. We work hard to get things ready for them to feel welcome. How are we preparing our hearts, minds, homes, and communities for Jesus? The call to proclaim and prepare didn’t end with John the Baptizer. We too have a responsibility to declare and prepare for Jesus.

The songs say - it is the most joyous time of the year! When we were kids, nothing could compare to the joy and excitement for Christmas morning and the gifts that were awaiting us under the tree. But we must discover that real joy comes not from gifts or parties, but is the gift of God brought to the world through Jesus.

When we are comforted, we feel and experience peace. When we got hurt as children, we likely found comfort and peace in the arms of our parents. Peace is powerful. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. That is one reason why peace is proclaimed during the Christmas season: Jesus has brought peace.

We are joined by the one and only Kim Beall on this special podcast as the Beall's get ready to celebrate 25 years of marriage. They share some great insights on Hallmark, parenting, finances and all the in-betweens of doing life together for 25 years.

We describe the Christmas season as being full of comfort and joy—and Isaiah 40:1–5 has a lot to say about that. Let us be reminded that God through Jesus has brought comfort in our pain and joy through salvation. Not only proclaimed in the book of Isaiah, these truths are often sung unthinkingly in popular Christmas songs. This is a season that celebrates God’s peaceful, joyful redemption.

It seems easy to be thankful for the good things in life, but it’s difficult to be thankful for harder events, pain, or loss. Perhaps part of the gratitude that we can have through seasons of pain is to realize that God is with us; he is still good; his love endures forever. Giving thanks in everything is different from giving thanks for everything. 

Being grateful is an endearing quality. How do we grow in the habit of gratitude, where does it come from? Are some people just born more thankful than others? In this season, may we slow down and realize how to be more thankful.

Once there is a proper understanding of money's place in life, what's next? Jesus challenges people that how they spend their money is the defining trait of what is important to them. Accepting and living this reality in relation to the kingdom of God will change many things about our approach to money. It can help us understand that there is more to life than this life.

Amy Eckrote, director of the Macy Food Pantry joins us for part two of the October podcast. Amy's passion and drive comes through loud and clear as she talks about the pantry and the often overlooked or just unknown, food insecurity that exists in our area.

Once we discover that our relationship with money is not all it's cracked up to be, how do we break up? And once we do, what's next? If I'm saying no to the lure of money, there is a better way I can yes to, and that better way brings me closer to heart of Jesus.

Jackie Johnson is the director of the Fulton County Pack-a-Backpack program that helps hundreds of local kids throughout the year with new supplies and backpacks. Hear the story of why this program is so important to Jackie and the opportunity we have to partner with her.

It’s rare to love money and only money. So, we must ask ourselves, what is it that we’re really chasing after? What most people love are the results of money. However, it's an empty promise, it never satisfies. Rather than trust in riches, we must learn to trust in Him who richly provides!

On its own, money can be a very positive thing. It is a tool. Tools are only as good or evil as the purpose for which they are used. So what’s the problem with money? Money attracts strong desire—sometimes it can be so strong as to completely derail the trajectory of our lives, even damaging our faith. 

The Christian life is often described as a journey and the author of Hebrews likens it to a race. How well are we running that race? Like any distance event, the race of life can be difficult but Jesus has given us the tools to run well!

Praise and thanksgiving together form the capstone of soul care. They take our focus off our failings, our disappointments, our hurts, and ourselves, redirecting our attention to the Lord who loves and cares for us—even when we’re at our worst. Practicing gratitude even when reality doesn’t live up to our expectations is vital to our daily soul care.