The Sinner and The Saint

The truth will set you free but first, it might tick you off! WHY? The truth can be less comforting than lies. If we are honest, most people are more concerned about feeling good than healing good. The truth makes us question the narrative/story we may have believed for a lifetime.  Truth forces action. The action may be to cover up the truth and ignore it or it may require a heart change that wil...

Jesus says to love others as we love ourselves, but we don’t often love ourselves well.  Self-Compassion is NOT self-esteem Self-Compassion is NOT self-pity Self-Compassion is NOT self-indulgence Self-compassion goes a long way if done correctly and without us allowing the world to warp the definition of what it truly means. When we learn to love ourselves as Jesus does we can truly love others th...

The Story of the Two Sons - Matt 21:25-31 - Lip Service ²⁸ “Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’ ²⁹ “The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went. ³⁰ “The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went. ³¹⁻³² “...

We are what we consume! From the media we watch to the words we play on repeat in our subconscious, everything we consume impacts our lives...for better or worse. " We are what we consume physically , mentally , and emotionally. To have a healthier life, take responsibility for what you consume. Things will get better if you change just one of the the above three factors, and they will get im...

Luke 18:9-13 MSG - He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: “Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: ‘Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like...

Matthew 7:1-5 MSG - “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s thi...

Put down Your weapons! - words, actions, negative thoughts, and past sins Against others & YOURSELF 

“ When we are silent, we come face to face with our addiction to being in control & always trying to fix things.” Peter Scazzero  Zechariah 4:5 MSG - You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ - Not by your power or might - but God’s   Some Tips on Combatting Perfectionism and Control focus on God - Not Self, so basically our character - not our accomplishments Inst...

Jesus had all kinds of emotions. He felt hope ( John 14:12 ). He felt anxious about the cross ( Luke 22:44 ). He felt warm love ( Mark 10:21 ). He felt tired ( John 4:6 ). He felt joyful ( John 15:11 ). He experienced pain ( Mark 15:15 ). He was peaceful, even during a storm ( Mark 4:38-40 ). He felt tempted to sin (

Our 2nd episode in our Release Me 2023 Series Letting go of OUR AGENDAS and assumptions to make room for God. After all, when we assume... Maybe it's time to plan life like we do our vacations - slow down, a balance of some structure and some free time  And we identify 3 places agendas really get in the way: Daily life, Life on mission/calling, Relationships  

We're kicking off our new series  " Release Me 2023 "  3 Types of Guilt - Tangible, Emotional, Transcendental  MARK 3:28-29 “I tell you the truth, all sin . . . can be forgiven.” PSALM 103:3, 10 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. . . . He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

Do you make resolutions? We don't! (Shocker:) This week we're talking about how we tackle the new year and all of the pressure that comes with that "magic moment" the clock strikes 12!   NEW YEAR tips From Paul - Romans 12:11-19   Stay in the word Be attuned & expect His voice - Follow it! Pray and don’t give up or give in  Help others & be inventive in hospitality Love...

Why is it important that I discover my specific calling? But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. ACTS 20:24   How do I discover my specific calling? Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. PSALM 119:105  Steps to Discovery:  - Get into God&apos...

How is the Enemy Keeping you sidelined?  1. You are Discouraged - WARNING - discouragement leads to self-pity if we aren’t careful! This is another enemy tactic.   2. Puffed up not built up (arrogance) 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NIV Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know...

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6 I am going to scream if I have to pretend to enjoy this Christmas party, come up with yet another creative gift idea, or spend time with that family member this holiday season! Ever had these thoughts? The usual holiday strains are enough. But add in the dynamics and u...

T aking time to put expectations in their place and set a plan for the new year. Not a new year’s resolution but a plan of priorities with purpose.  Evaluating where you are with all of these people. God Spouse Kids Self  Friends  Church /Work How would rate your relationship with _____? Is that where you want it to be? Are you ok with that? If not, what are you going to do about it?  

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed in this season? The holidays can bring up all kinds of emotions (the good, the bad, and the ugly) Join us for a  discussion on how to cope!  Expectations vs. Expectant We must be intentional to follow Jesus and climb the hillside with Him. When climbing we are faced with: Obstacles, Dangers, Defeats, and Victories. All are part of journey.  What are your obstac...

It's our SEASON OF TAKING and this week we are taking back bitterness as we discuss the ins and outs of forgiveness. Maybe there is someone in your life that you know you can NEVER forgive. And quite frankly, you have every reason to feel that way. Are you thinking, I will forgive them when... What if the "when" never comes?  Scripture references: John 18 & Hebrews 10:30

People think just because you're a Christian you should always  be nice have a big smile on your face at all times lend a helping hand turn the other cheek Great news: Just because we are Christians, we don't have to be a doormat. And while we're bursting bubbles, your salvation is NOT MY JOB (That's between you and the Big Man upstairs, but we're always down for a chat ab...

When Jesus was out in the dessert & tempted by Satan to turn stones into loaves of bread when he was hungry - He replied, “man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that comes from the mouth of God.” - Matthew 4:4  Finding time to fill ourselves with the word of God and the Holy Spirit offers us many things: Confirmation - of truth in circumstances, answers, encouragement Reminders...

“Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind.” Henry Miller Why do we stay in denial? - fear, hard work, pain,  What are the benefits?  - healthier relationships w/ God & people, we are happier p...

notes: 1- The Super Christian - volunteers at all the things, organizes everything, at every church event, everything is always good - God is so good while the house is burning down.  - She is trying to perform, fit in, earn her keep, proof herself   2 - The Prayer Warrior - do not look this one in the eye - careful what you say every word is for the prayer, very quiet b/c she is saving her energy...

You are who God says you are - not the one Satan tries to trick you into. 

Cue the Spice Girls!!  Women want: •Connection and belonging  •A break from their negative inner dialogue & unhelpful thoughts  •A safe place to share their heart, where they are seen and heard for who they are and supported where they are. 

Proverbs 25:28 - Self Control  A person without self control is like a house with all its doors & windows knocked out.  What is a house with all it’s windows & doors knocked out like?  vulnerable (with no protection from the outside dangers and elements) unsafe/dangerous (broken glass) danger enters easily - quick to anger, fall to temptation elements can destroy the inside of the home fas...