Pine Lake Covenant Church Podcast

The “good life” that often captures our imagination is centered on upward mobility and getting ahead. But the mindset to which Jesus calls us is just the opposite. What does downward mobility mean for His followers? The post The Downward Mobility of Servanthood appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

There are common things in our world which help us stick with a group—family, ethnicity, socioeconomic factors, occupation, even political persuasions. But the church is defined by wholly different commonalities. John ends his letter with a call to build community through loving, obeying and overcoming. Here are the responses from the congregation on what makes a genuine Christian community. The p...

The issue of sin is not one we readily dive into; yet we know the reality of its influence in our lives. John reminds us that genuine community is birthed through honest recognition of our sin and confident reliance on the One who ultimately destroys its power over us. The post Dealing with Sin appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

We have to confess that, as humans, we are easily deceived. In our current cultural environment of competing “truths,” John provides a timeless test to overcome deception and stand fast in God’s truth. The post Test the Spirits appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

We readily claim our identity as children of God, but don’t always live up to our calling. John reminds us that the clearest marker of our adoption into God’s family is the way we love our siblings. How are we doing in developing a genuinely loving community?​​​​​​​ The post The True Test of Love appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

Throughout the letter of 1 John, the goal remains the same: to charge the people of God to embody undying love for God & one another. If Jesus Christ is our model of love, who is the antichrist, and what threat do they pose? The post Christ and Antichrists appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

We invest our time and attention toward what we love. A good test of Christian faith is whether that investment of love is focused on the welfare of others or on our status in the world. The post Two Sides of Love appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

The essence of our faith boils down to these two commands: Love God, and love people. The way God has given us to love others is through community. This week, we have the privilege of hearing from Chitra Hanstad, Executive Director at World Relief Seattle. The post Love God, Love People appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

Light and Life—These lofty concepts in John’s letter seem so heavenly and grand. But John reminds us that these gifts from Jesus shape our community in everyday ways. The post Walk in the Light appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

Come celebrate all that God has done and continues to do in the lives of nine students that journeyed through the confirmation experience this year. This is not only a huge step in each student’s faith journey, but an opportunity to celebrate God’s faithfulness as a church. The post Confirmation 2021 appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

“Blessed to be a blessing”—God’s covenant to Abraham from ages past continues to shape our mission today. Yet the Christian church is not always received as a blessing in the world these days. God’s renovating work calls us to new ways of extending blessing to those in our community. The post Renewed Mission appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

This week we continue in our ‘Renovate’ series and turn to a passage in 1 Peter 2 that builds upon two specific Old Testament themes: stones and priests. How might these two OT illustrations reshape the way we view our church community now, and the work that God desires to do through us moving forward? The post Stones & Priests: A Renewed Community appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church...

There is no amount of rehabilitation, re-education, or improvement plan that can create a new person. But that is just what Jesus does in us: whole new beings, forever made right with God! As new creations, we are God’s envoys to a world seeking to make things right by their own efforts. The post New Creations appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

Society often tells us we can create a better life now or follow three easy steps to renew the desires of our hearts. Yet God is the one who says, “I will give you a new heart.” Let’s explore God’s ongoing work of renovating and reshaping our hearts to become more like his. The post A New Heart appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

Jesus’ ministry often challenged the expectations of those around him. The fresh wine of His kingdom can’t be contained in old forms. Are we ready to receive the new work of Spirit in our time? The post New Wine in New Skins appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

We look at changes over this year of pandemic and see much loss and continued uncertainty. But the Lord has a way of making new things spring up in wastelands. The prophet Isaiah invites us to perceive what new thing God may be doing even today. The post A New Thing appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

Pastor Lyndsey Watson is the new Ministry Specialist with Covenant Kids Congo (CKC), an initiative of Covenant World Relief and Development and our denomination, the Evangelical Covenant Church. Pine Lake Covenant Church has engaged with CKC in multiple ways throughout the years, including the Global 6K, which is coming up on May 22. Pastor Lyndsey will discuss the importance of the local church e...

Prayer can be the most human and natural form of speech. Yet, as with other languages, it takes time to nurture and grow in fluency with God in prayer. The writer of Hebrews highlights key postures that build our confidence in being with God in prayer. The post Praying with Confidence appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

The Easter story is proof that what Jesus said about himself is true: “I am the resurrection and the life.” But we can’t experience the great joy of Easter without first feeling the pain. As we stand with His friend Martha at the grave of a loved one, Jesus’ words are power and promise. The post The Resurrection & the Life appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church .

Jesus tells us very clearly he is the way, truth, and life. Yet on this side of heaven we get caught up trying to find or make our own way in life. Together, let’s explore the fullness of this statement from the great I AM. Throughout this Lent series, we invite you to pay attention to God in new ways. The Breathe prayer resource, provided by the Covenant Church, is a good place to...

Just as a branch receives life from the vine, so our life source is derived from Jesus. Only in connection to him can we expect a plentiful harvest. What might that harvest look like in your life? Throughout this Lent series, we invite you to pay attention to God in new ways. The Breathe prayer resource, provided by the Covenant Church, is a good place to start. Here is this week’s&...

In a contrast between good and bad leaders, Jesus identifies himself as Good Shepherd. This is much more than a moral statement to affirm. It is an invitation to relationship, to know and be fully known by Him. Throughout this Lent series, we invite you to pay attention to God in new ways. The Breathe prayer resource, provided by the Covenant Church, is a good place to start. Here i...

Unless you are a rancher or farmer, you may not fully appreciate the value of a livestock gate. A gate protects, defines and provides entrance. What might Jesus be saying to us about his position as divine gatekeeper? Throughout this Lent series, we invite you to pay attention to God in new ways. The Breathe prayer resource, provided by the Covenant Church, is a good place to s...

As the hours of daylight increase, we find ourselves inspired and energized by increased light. Jesus points to himself as the light of the world, inviting us to move out of darkness into life-giving hope. We receive the light and then we share the light. That’s the way of Jesus. Throughout this Lent series, we invite you to pay attention to God in new ways. The Breathe pr...

When you hear the name “Jesus,” what images come to mind? As we enter the season of Lent, we will go back to the source to remember how Jesus described himself. This week, He uses an everyday item to extend an extraordinary invitation to all who choose to receive Him. Throughout this Lent series, we invite you to pay attention to God in new ways. The Breathe prayer resource, pr...