thinking out loud

In this message from Terry Timm, we embark on a journey of transformation that goes beyond mere belief and behavior, exploring a framework called "The Critical Journey."  Through personal reflections and biblical stories, such as the journeys of Abram and the Samaritan woman, discover how God invites us to trust, surrender, and grow in our relationship with Him. 

In this message from Katherine Sikma Wadsworth, we explore the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Through the metaphor of babies in the womb, we're invited to consider how we're constantly surrounded and nourished by God's presence. Katherine delves into the story of Elijah from 1 Kings 19, showing how God tenderly cares for us in our moments of deepest need. We're reminded that som...

In this episode, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth shares an engaging story from her honeymoon to Maui, using it as an analogy for how the Holy Spirit guides us through life. She draws on biblical references and personal experiences to illustrate the importance of listening to divine wisdom, even amidst life's struggles. Katherine reminds listeners that, just like a journey with unexpected turns, our spir...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the transformative power of the Holy Spirit as the giver of life, tracing its role from the creation account in Genesis to its work in shaping Christ within us. He highlights historical and biblical foundations, such as the Nicene Creed and the birth of the church, underscoring how the Spirit nurtures our character and forms Jesus in us. The message concludes w...

In this message from Richie Reeder, we are invited to explore the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Ths talk focuses on Acts 2, where the Spirit arrives dramatically with violent winds and tongues of fire. This pivotal moment reveals three key themes: God's presence, power, and gospel proclamation. We're challenged to examine our reliance on the Holy Spirit—are we aware of His presence and...

In this message, Richie Reeder explores the story of Lydia from Acts 16 and highlights the significance of her hospitality in the early spread of Christianity. He reminds us that Lydia's openness and her role as a dealer in purple cloth symbolize how simple acts of hospitality can lead to significant spiritual impact, connecting it to our own lives. Let's consider how we can practice everyday hosp...

In this message from Terry Timm, we explore the question, "What kind of world do you want?" Through an exploration of Revelation 21 and John 13, we delvs into the transformative power of resurrection, offering a vision of a new creation where love and divine renewal shape the future. Join Terry as he guides us through the implications of living out this new command in our everyday lives.

In this message, Terry Timm explores the role of shepherding in the Christian faith, drawing connections between the legacy of Peter and the responsibilities of modern believers. He emphasizes the significance of listening to and following the Good Shepherd, Jesus, highlighting how all followers are called to act as under-shepherds, guiding others with love and care. With references to biblical te...

In this message, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth delves into the epilogue of John's Gospel, focusing on the restoration of Peter after his denial of Jesus. She draws parallels between Peter's journey and the epic conclusion of "The Lord of the Rings," emphasizing themes of return, reorientation, and repair. Katherine invites listeners to reflect on how Jesus might be revealing Himself in new ways in the...

In this message from Richie Reeder, the essence of Jesus's post-resurrection presence unfolds with profound significance. With a focus on the lectionary reading from John 20:19-31, Richie invites us to explore the themes of presence, peace, forgiveness, and realness that emerge in the encounter between Jesus and His disciples. Through storytelling and relatable insights, Richie encourages us to em...

In this Easter message from Terry Timm, we explore into the significance of the resurrection of Jesus, illustrating it as more than just the start of a new day, but as the dawning of a new kind of day. Through the lens of Matthew's gospel, Terry invites us to explore how this event represents a transformative moment in history, offering hope and a fresh perspective on life's narrative. With a focu...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the themes of "Foxes, Hens, Donkeys, and the Way of Peace." Drawing insights from Luke 13 & 19 he reflects on the steadfast journey of Jesus to Jerusalem and the symbolic meanings of foxes, hens, and donkeys in the pursuit of peace. Join Terry as he invites us to examine the kind of king we choose to follow and the transformative power of Jesus' love and compas...

In this message, Richie Reeder guides us through the challenging yet transformative call to love our enemies, drawing from Jesus's countercultural teachings in Luke 6:27-36. As we navigate the wilderness season of Lent, Richie invites us to reflect deeply on our heart's posture towards those who oppose us, encouraging us to embrace a path of generosity and grace. 

In her thought-provoking message, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth explores the concept of toxic positivity, emphasizing the importance of embracing emotional honesty. She draws on the story of Lazarus from John 11 to illustrate how Jesus wept with Mary and Martha, demonstrating the power of shared grief and authentic presence. Katherine encourages us to resist the urge to rush past pain, fostering deepe...

In his message, Terry Timm explores the beginning of Jesus's public ministry. Reflecting on the season of Lent and the theme "From the Wilderness to the Glory," Terry emphasizes the transformative power of repentance and the call to join Jesus in his kingdom work. By examining Matthew 4, Terry invites listeners to consider how they are being called to follow and participate in bringing hope and he...

Delving into Jesus' temptations in the wilderness, Richie Reeder explores the themes of relevance, spectacle, and power, encouraging us to seek surrender and spiritual growth. The message concludes with a meditative reflection, "The Wilderness As Teacher," from theworkofthepeople.org, which beautifully encapsulates the spiritual journey from wilderness to transformation.

In her talk, Katherine Sikma Wadsworth reflects on the mysterious nature of prayer, drawing on the life of Mother Teresa and the teachings of scripture to illustrate the complexity and beauty of communion with God. She introduces the concept of exploring prayer through four lenses—talking to God, talking with God, listening to God, and being with God—emphasizing that these practices coexist to dee...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the transformative power of contemplation by emphasizing the principle "we become what we behold." He discusses how engaging deeply with God's presence through prayer and contemplation can lead to an inner transformation, making us more like Christ. God invites all of us to adopt a contemplative posture, encouraging practices that ground us in hope, silence, an...

In this message, Terry Timm explores the profound importance of attuning ourselves to the voice of God. He emphasizes the significance of adopting a posture of surrender and openness, akin to the biblical Samuel's plea, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening." Through personal anecdotes and biblical narratives, Terry invites listeners to practice discerning God's loving and wise guidance in their...

Richie Reeder invites us to transition from a traditional approach of simply talking to God, to actively listening for His voice. Drawing from John 10:2-5, he illustrates Jesus as the Good Shepherd and us as His sheep, who are attuned to His voice. This imagery encourages us to develop a deeper, more interactive relationship with God—shifting from a monologue to a dialogue with Him. Richie referen...

In this message from Terry Timm, we delve into the transformative concept of partnering with God to shape the world around us. Drawing from Luke 11:1-13, we see Jesus teaching His disciples how to pray, highlighting the importance of persistence and faith. Prayer is portrayed not just as a passive act, but as a dynamic partnership with the Divine to "bend the arc of human history" towards God's ki...

In this message from Terry Timm, we explore the depth of prayer by examining the Lord's Prayer from Luke 11. Prayer is not merely about speaking to God but engaging in a multifaceted conversation with God. Jesus teaches us about our 'how much more' Father in heaven—a God who desires to give us good gifts, surpassing the generosity of earthly parents. This understanding encourages us to approach pr...

In this message from Terry Timm, we're invited to dive deeper into our relationship with God. The Lord's Prayer, as found in Luke 11, serves as our guide. We're encouraged to focus our eyes on the Father, remembering that God is already gazing at us with love. This beautiful image of 'beholding God beholding you, smiling' reminds us of the intimate connection we have with our Creator. The concept...

As we journey to deepen our prayer life, we are reminded that we are all beginners in communicating with God. This message from Katherine Sikma Wadsworth, explores the transformative power of prayer through Jesus' teachings in Luke 11. The Lord's Prayer, provided by Christ as a model, shifts our approach to God from seeing the Divine as distant to addressing God as 'Father' or more intimately 'Abb...

In this message from Terry Timm, we explore the story of the Magi and King Herod, revealing key insights into human nature and God's revelation. The Magi, guided by a star, symbolize our potential for goodness and spiritual pursuit and remind us to stay attentive to God's signs. In contrast, Herod represents humanity's darker side, driven by fear and a desire for control. This dichotomy prompts us...