New Hope Church - Podcast

Doing the right thing can be difficult. Helping others can be exhausting. Growing in our faith (and changing our behavior) can be frustrating. One simple mindset can make the difference.

Some of us define our worth by how successful we are. God’s view of success has very little to do with wealth, power, or achievement. It has everything to do with something else.

As a church, we work hard to make a difference in our local community and in the world around of us. We’re thankful for some great partners doing life-saving work in far-away places. This week, we are excited to welcome Tom Eggum back to New Hope. Tom’s heart and enthusiasm for the people of Uganda is infectious. The stories he shares will move your heart…and maybe even prompt you to jump in and h...

The world tells us to live for ourselves, but Christ tells us to live for Him, represent Him, and be more like Him. Jesus was always humble. Let's put our pride aside and learn to walk humbly in this broken world.

It has become “normal” to say or write whatever we feel. And once we get started it’s hard to stop. Our words really do matter and how we choose to use them is an indicator of our true priorities.

God has given us a simple standard for relationships - to “love your neighbor as yourself”. Unfortunately we easily get focused on loving ourselves and miss our neighbor.

Living a fully devoted life isn’t always the easiest, most comfortable way. There are challenges we will all face along the way that bring great temptations. How do we learn to choose wisely?

As we walk with Christ, sometimes we are tempted to do our will instead of His. Living for Jesus in the real world requires a shift in our mindset. It is not our way but His way. Are you ready to change your mindset?

In this world, we’ll all face troubles – there’s no escaping them. Learning to live a faith-filled life doesn’t just help us to be fully devoted followers of Jesus. It also means we will never face our troubles alone. 

Today we celebrate the 32nd anniversary of New Hope Church. In our first 16 years, we were a “mobile church.” We’ve now been in the building for the same amount of time – 16 years. For our anniversary we’ll look at where we’ve been, but more importantly where we are heading!

What happened next to Peter after the resurrection changed his whole life and made him into the man we know today. What’s next for you can be the turning point of your life. So, what’s next for you?

It’s hard to put the story of Jesus into words. There aren’t enough adjectives and superlatives to adequately express what He did for us. His epic story is everything we will all feel and so much more.

We live in the tension of wanting to be known and feeling terrified to be known. Sharing our stories with others lessens their power over us…and might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

God created us specifically and uniquely because He has a purpose for our lives. Understanding our stories can be tricky, but they reveal how we relate to the world.

As our stories are revealed, there are often fragments that come to mind that seem trivial. Honoring every piece of the puzzle is important. Write down these scenes as they come to you.

Looking back into the narrative of our lives can be daunting, intimidating, and sometimes even painful. But there is so much to learn about ourselves and our Creator. Remember to be both curious and kind to who you used to be.

Make no mistake, God already knows the beginning, middle, and end of your story. He allows us to be co-creators, which brings human nuance into play. The good news is He promises to walk by our side every step of the way.

“Choose your battles” is a phrase commonly heard by parents, but really applies to all situations. Saying yes whenever you can opens us all up to new possibilities. It also promotes confidence and creativity!

Showing apprection to others, for both big and small things, lets them feel seen. It’s a small thing that garners very big results.

Relationships are far more important than most offenses. And to be honest, none of us are always right. Holding grudges does nothing more than poison you with bitterness.

We can get ourselves into a lot of trouble when we assume the thoughts and wishes of another person. Asking this question can save a great deal of trouble.

Proactively seeking ways to serve another shows compassion and care. Rather than just trying to ‘fix’ something, it’s an offer of willingness to step into the trenches with real support.

It may seem simple, but this single sentence can help diffuse defensiveness and open the door to real healing.

Not only has God given us the greatest gift in the world, He has also given us the privilege and responsibility to share it with everyone around us. His gift is still the answer for a lost and seeking world.