The Local Church

Work produces money and money produces one of two things: greed or generosity. From the front of the Bible to the back the generosity of God is constantly displayed with an invitation to mimic. Though we swim in a world often filled with entitlement resulting in greed, we are called into a life of gratitude that spills out generosity. Don’t believe the lie of just one more thing, believe in the ge...

What Napoleon Dynamite and a man born blind from birth teach us about how to invite others onto the spiritual dance floor. Chicken Little was mistaken, Jesus is still compelling.

First crushes, Brussels Sprouts, Lamborghini’s and why falling in love with Jesus is what we want to be about.

Our lives are dictated by the things and the people that we love, what we have fallen for. And we always fall for what we find beautiful. In Acts 16:11-34, we see the impact of this in the life of Paul as Jesus transforms his heart and relationships with others to show us that Different is beautiful. When we fall in love with Jesus, we fall for beauty, and we fall for different.

Did you know that in some cultures the appropriate way to greet a person is to ask if they’ve eaten yet? Today we explore Boodle Fights, why laying on the floor at an amusement park may be the most beautiful thing on earth, and the everyday radical hospitality that makes those who feel they don’t belong, belong.

Nurses, 5th grade trauma, illegal immigrants and why mercy matters. We’re all half dead hoping for a Good Samaritan; why we need one, how to be one.

What to do when God asks you to tie a grown man's shoes in Starbucks. John 13 and the greatest leadership lesson Jesus ever taught.

A special message from guest speaker Chris Conrad

Politics, money, contentment and the secret recipe for the worlds best chocolate chip cookies. Join us as we close out our series in Philippians chapter 4.

Jesus calls us to live into the pattern of leaving our past behind, focusing on Him, and experiencing our future today.

Paul knew that there was nothing as valuable as knowing Christ. He couldn’t brag about his own accomplishments (although his were impressive) instead he considered them garbage. Strong words, but so necessary for those of us who want to live amazing lives.

Have you ever felt like you needed to work harder, do more, be better? That God’s grace is still something to be earned? We shine like stars when we hold on to the word of life, but by grace is how we do it.

Have you ever loved ants enough to seriously consider becoming one? God did. Today we consider The Pattern Jesus set out for us... it’s a rough beginning, a hard middle, but an amazing ending. Check it out.

In Phil. 1:12-30, Paul explained his situation to the church in Philippi and gave his reaction to it. Jesus changes everything, even the way that we endure hardships and suffering. This portion of Paul’s letter puts this on full display as the hope of the Jesus pattern in suffering shines through. While Paul may be in chains, the Gospel is not.

Today we start a journey through the letter written to the church in Philippi. The Apostle Paul opens this letter of encouragement by sharing why they bring him so much joy and what his prayer is for them.

Why does communion matter? Because communion belongs to the weak, because the Lord’s Supper is for those who don’t have it all together but do have Jesus.

Baptism is public proclamation, physical representation, mystical unification, symbolic identification and good ole fashioned obedience.

Telling others about Jesus is hard. In Acts 8, through the life of Phillip, we see some patterns that can help anyone share their faith in a personal and conversational way. When we do so, we join in God’s mission being realized in beautiful and powerful ways.

Great lives have the same elements as all great stories. A character that wants something worth wanting and overcomes great conflict to get it. If no one would want to read a book about your life then start editing today. When we live for the future, we experience heaven on earth. What do you want... because if you can afford it, you probably haven’t found it.

Have you ever wondered if change is really possible? The Bible teaches us that it’s less about what you do than Who you know. Eyes up.

Have you ever made such a big mistake in life that you’re not sure how you’ll ever recover? The apostle Peter and our friend Celia show us how to “Recover from Failure” in our first installment of Moments That Make Us.

Easter is the story of hope, the story of things once thought impossible now found true. Easter is death in reverse; it is The Possibility.