Pathways Church | Messages

Throughout this series, we have looked at values & virtues in our lives. This week we're discussing two topics that are crucial we get right in our lives.

Love, we overuse that word. We say we "Love" even the most trivial seeming things in life. We talk about emotions and feelings, but the Bible tells us that Love is much more than that.

It’s tragic that we live in a world that is more shocked by Integrity, than the lack of Integrity. This week we learn a valuable lesson from a drive-thru window.

It's amazing how our culture today can take something good and turn it into a negative. This week we learn an important lesson through the example of a dog in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Life is full of painful moments. But some of that pain can actually be avoided! The important thing to realize, is that in many cases, we get to choose our pain.

A Trend is a general tendency towards change, and while Trends come and go, something that is trending is a wider and lasting movement. In this series we're looking at values and the decisions we make.

Sometimes a walk on the beach, becomes more than just a time rest and relaxation. This week Pastor Brent shares a personal story of conviction and a lesser known parable from Luke.

Hear from the team who created the Legacy Trek Series, as they share reflections of the series, and what lessons rose to the top.

In most aspects of life, we chase a destinations. We set goals, chase deadlines, titles, financial status and locations. While having a goal is a good thing, the reality is that as long as were in this life, we are never finished. There is still work to do, obstacles to conquer and miles ahead. This week we come to the final stretch of the Appalachian Trail, not a destination.

This week along the Appalachian Trail, we come to a place that is known for its difficulty. A stretch that slows hikers to such a snail's pace that it takes hours to go one mile. Sometimes life can be hard, only to get harder.

This week we've reached a location along the Appalachian Trail, that is known for weather extremes. Much like our everyday life, in order to visit this unique spot, you have to learn how to stand firm despite the strong winds.

If you ask people, “What do you want out of life?” The answers are often similar, “I want to have fun, to feel good and be happy.” In short we're all chasing the mountain top moments in life, no one answers that question by saying they want to experience the 'lows' in life. Despite that, life is full of highs and lows, it's not a matter of if, but when the low moments will come.

It takes courage to become a Christian and to tell the truth about our condition. All of us are sinners in need of God’s grace and Salvation in Christ. Paul was a man on mission, He wrote about His own personal experience in sharing faith with others.

Our world is becoming increasingly filled with distraction. Information moves faster, louder, and brighter than ever before. Entertainment, social media, and marketing have never been so prevalent. They beg for our attention and our focus. In so doing, our minds are diverted from a life that matters.

As parents, we don't like for our kids to see our weaknesses. Especially for Dads, we want our kids to think we are superman, but the older they get, they realize we are not! This week our Trek takes an unexpected turn as this lesson becomes all too real.

There is something so invigorating, soul-awakening, renewing, restoring, refreshing and healing about being in the mountains. There is good reason we call them mountain top experiences. 

Regrets. We all have dealt with regret, whether it is the result of our own doing, or the result of holding too tightly, to something that was done by someone else. This week we learn to look differently at the rearview mirror.

Mottos and slogans are important, they can encourage and motivate. On the Appalachian Trail, the unofficial motto is, "Don't Quit On A Bad Day." There is a warning in that statement, "Bad Days Are Coming!" When the weather turns bad, the temperature falls, the food runs out, or pain and injury sets in, a beautiful place can turn ugly quick!

The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is over 2,190 miles long, passes through 14 states, eight different national forests, six national park units and numerous state parks, forests, and game lands. All hikers know that to reach a destination they have to keep moving. The life you live is about taking small steps toward a BIG God.

What is it that makes you loose your patience the fastest?  Let’s face it.  Impatience permeates our entire persona. We all know the high price tag of impatience because we have been wounded by the impatience of others and we also have hurt others with our impatience. We have seen the damage professionally. We have seen the damage relationally. We have even felt the damage spiritually.

The phrase "Elephant in the room" means a major problem or controversial issue that is obviously present but avoided as a subject for discussion. Today we are a people of pride, James 4 warns us about this sin and the downfall it can bring.

If you want to know the direction your life is moving, look at your conversations. In James 3 we are taught that words are powerful, they can build people up or tear them down.

We don't always have to have the "right" words in order to show Jesus to someone. We can show Jesus simply by our actions and choosing to love someone even when it is hard.

Jesus was moved with compassion to help others. When given the opportunity to help someone do we jump at the chance to do it? Or do we find reasons not to?

A trial is not the same thing as a temptation. Both temptations and trials are difficult, but a temptation is brought on by either Satan or our sinful hearts, while a trial is allowed by God in order to refine us and to make us more like Jesus. A faith that can't be tested is a faith that can't be trusted.