Complacency is one of the biggest challenges that the church in America faces right now. We After centuries of Christian dominance in government and culture, our influence (Like the church in Sardis) is declining. What are ways we may still be a little complacent? How do we grow out of that? And how do we influence our culture when our culture doesn't want to listen to us anymore?

We as humans have an absolutely corrupt view of power. We want it, fear it, don't know how to use it. How can we recognize when we are living in fear of it? How do we know if we are using our power poorly? And what role does empathy have in our need to combat fear in ourselves and others?

If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, what does that mean for our interaction in the world? How do we deal with the chaos of the world and still keep our heads on our shoulders? And what on earth can we do during a Christmas season with no snow?

We are a part of a global flock following our Good Shepherd. How do we make sure we keep ourselves safe from division and discord?

Christ says He is the light, and helps illuminate the paths we are supposed to take. Sometimes it can be tricky to see what it is we are actually supposed to do, though. As we start our Advent season, Dan and Austin look at the importance of waiting and trusting God, even when we have no idea what we are supposed to be doing with our lives.

Self-control in our spiritual lives is very similar to that necessary when starting a workout routine. How do we start good spiritual disciplines in a way that helps us sustain it long-term?

Gentleness is a super important filter for all our actions, but it's not one we like to use. Our culture tells us that gentleness is weakness, but Jesus talks often about the subversive power of gentle words and actions. Has gentleness ever solved systemic injustices? Is there ever a time to use a "whip" (metaphorically or literally) in defense of the faith or in an effort to bring Christ's kingdom?

Reliability (or Faithfulness, depending on what term you want to use) is easily lost and difficult to gain. How can we recover lost reliability?