Spark Cast

Much of our Christian theology formulaically equates obedience with blessing. While many take solace in this, the opening story of Exodus shows a different picture. Despite the Israelites fulfilling the commission of Genesis, it is their very "fruitfulness" and "multiplying" that brings upon them oppression, making them a target for the powers that be. Many of us experience this, that our lives do...

Welcome to our series on Exodus. While filled with amazing and fantastical features, it is possible to miss the greater story, of which we are invited to participate. Through good study, history, and a recognition that these stories are connected to a much larger story, we will begin to see the themes of justice, liberation, and formation live out in our lives in new and fresh ways. Join us for th...

40% of Americans make New Year's Resolutions. 8% of those that do actually keep them. This common cultural activity is illustrative of something deeper about our humanity, a self-centeredness that is reflected, not just in popular psychology books, but in the ancient work of Ecclesiastes. Through this talk, Pastor Kevin encourages us to not just make resolutions, but rather to also make remembranc...

Live reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas (Spark Edition)" set to the music of Michael W. Smith's Overture/O Come All Ye Faithful, 1989.

Mystery is commonly thought of as a "problem" to be solved. Biblical mystery, however, is about awe, wonder, and amazement. Through the stories we read in the Bible, we see that mystery is the redemptive response to power, the path to discovery, and the way to worship. Let us together trust the mystery.

Jesus calming of the storm in Mark 4 is reminiscent of the story of Jonah. Through both of these stories we see the presence of God in the midst of storms. Let us together hear the words of Jesus, "Peace, be still," through the storms in our lives.

In addition to a few reminders of what this series is about, in this teaching we take a look at what role sleep has played in the Biblical narrative. Through the stories of Adam, Abraham, Jonah, Joseph, and even Jesus, we see sleep as a beautiful metaphorical symbol and activity of refreshment, renewal, and redemption. Daily we are given the gift of sleep. Daily we are reminded to refresh, renew,...

Pastor Mark Arevalo takes us on a musical journey to illustrate the many ways in which we discover God. If we pause, reflect, consider, and listen carefully, perhaps we will hear the song that God is playing in this universe, and find our salvation, hope, healing, and rest, in joining in the tune.

Too often we think of rest as "self-care." In this message, Pastor Danielle exhorts us to think bigger. Not that self-care is unimportant, but that rest comes through exhaustive work. In other words, it is possible to be really tired, yet, because we have lived out a calling of service, we are "good" and tired. May we never lose our connection to our purpose, which is to do good works, and serve t...

This evening, our special guest, Mark Yaconelli, shares stories that illustrate and illuminate how the greatest commandment in Mark 12 lives and breathes today. May we see the other, listen to their souls, and allow our hearts to be moved to action.

Session 5 of Spark's Spiritual Retreat with Mark Yaconelli, Healing Our Image of God and Ourselves

Session 4 of Spark's Spiritual Retreat with Mark Yaconelli, Healing Our Image of God and Ourselves

Session 2 of Spark's Spiritual Retreat with Mark Yaconelli, Healing Our Image of God and Ourselves

Session 1 of Spark's Spiritual Retreat with Mark Yaconelli, Healing Our Image of God and Ourselves

Pastoral intern, Josh Boucher, walks us through some very practical points of finding and discovering rest, in the midst of very busy lives which are not attuned to rest. Referencing CS Lewis, we discover that simply believing God exists is not enough. We must also believe that God is good, there, we will find rest for our souls.

Spark member, Melissa (Look) Braunworth, recently lost her 27 year old brother, Bryant, to cancer. In this teaching, we have the privilege of hearing Melissa share about her faith journey in the midst of suffering, as she points to the places where she's found Rest in the most difficult of journeys. Engage deeply with these reflections, as Melissa shares honestly, and profoundly, about her faith,...

When Jesus declares, "if anyone is thirsty they should come to me and drink," he is set against the backdrop of a main Jewish festival, Sukkot (Tabernacles). Through his declaration, we discover multiple layers of meaning, of what Jesus is saying about himself, the festival, and about us!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Jesus Tired? Worn down? Exhausted? Feeling frenetic, weary, or burdened? Come. Learn. Discover. Why? Perhaps the exhaustion we feel is not because of our pace or...

We invite all of our podcast listeners to join us for what will prove to be a transformative event in your life's journey; a spiritual retreat with author and speaker, Mark Yaconelli. In this special announcement, hear a little more from Pastor Danielle regarding the heart behind the retreat, and some of what we can expect. This event is open to the public, so please help us spread the word. Visit...

The summation of all the ethics of Jesus, perhaps could be stated in two words, "for life." Drawing on John 10:10, and a variety of cultural nuances, we discover that there's a lot of life to be had, which is oftentimes distinct from the stale religion in which Christianity is often disguised. May we never settle for anything less than the full, complete, and abundant life Jesus came to offer.

This Jesus way is not "part-time," or "part-life." It is the call and challenge of Jesus to not simply give a segment of my life to this movement, but rather all of my life to it. And through this "all in" attitude and perspective, may we not only be transformed in our decision making, but also transformed in our experience of Jesus's presence, every day. In everything, may Jesus's love, and commi...

The Jesus movement emerges on the scene with a significant backdrop, the Roman Empire. In the midst of this powerful and authoritative presence, the Jesus Way confronts and overturns Roman influence, but not in ways expected. Rather than a military uprising, or a coup, Jesus calls us to "lay down our lives," "take up our cross," and "follow Him." Subversively, this way calls and empowers us to liv...

Insignificant. Mediocre. Small. Little. These are not words that usually cause inspiration or empowerment. Yet, this "mustard seed faith," is what Jesus seems to be advocating in Matthew 13. Not only will we be encouraged, welcomed, and invited into this Kingdom movement, we will actually be astonished at what becomes of our seemingly paltry contributions. The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed...

In this teaching, we discover two main truths that can help inspire us to embrace one of the most difficult ethics that exist, forgiveness. The first is that forgiveness transforms the forgiver. The second is that forgiveness is a reflection of our understanding of God's love and grace to us. Thus, if we were to embrace the fullness of forgiveness, we would bring healing to our understanding of Go...

Not only does the Kingdom movement of Jesus invite all to enter, especially the marginalized, but we see this ethic exemplified in the very life of Jesus, as he too was one who came marginalized. Why is this ethic important? Because "those on the margins speak a truth that must be heard by us all and we all need to hear that cry." And, the love of God is on display to those on the margins.