That hurt my feelings. That was so offensive!

Sound familiar?

Instead of using victim language, getting angry, shutting down, or putting other down . . .

Try asking yourself why someone not agreeing with you, or validating your feelings makes you feel that way.

Is it pride, insecurity or fear?

1 Corinthians 13:12-13

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

What if there was a social media device we could scroll through that was a constant real of truth, love, and healing? There is - God's Word. Why are people so reluctant to pick up and read the Bible?

1. Lack of time & not making it a priority
2. Difficulty understanding what it means
3. Lack of interest or motivation because you don't see the point in reading it
4. Doubts or skepticism about the Bible's validity
5. Negative past experiences by guilt-driven or legalistic teaching
6. No guidance or support from friends
7. Spiritual/emotional barriers because the truth is to difficult to hear or you feel angry or disconnected from God.

We make hundreds of choices EVERYDAY!

Some big, others small...but there are some that will change our lives forever.

In this episode:

• Dive into the life altering decisions we make
• Uncover potential problem areas in our choices
• Discuss strategies to make the changes in our decision making

2 Cor. 13:5-8 Says: Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.

Richard Rohr says: Christians have often preached a gospel largely comprised of words, attitudes, and inner salvation experiences. People say they are saved, they are “born again,” yet how do we really know if someone is saved? Are they actually following Jesus? Do they love the poor? Are they free from their egos? Are they patient in the face of persecution?

Even today many Christians keep Jesus on a seeming pedestal, worshiping a caricature on a cross or a bumper-sticker slogan while avoiding what Jesus said and did. We keep saying, “We love Jesus,” but more as a God-figure than as someone to imitate. It seems the more we talk about Jesus, the less time we have to do what he said.

Matthew 7:13-14
There are two paths before you; you may take only one path. One doorway is narrow. And one door is wide. Go through the narrow door. For the wide door leads to a wide path, and the wide path is broad; the wide, broad path is easy, and the wide, broad, easy path has many, many people on it; but the wide, broad, easy, crowded path leads to death. Now then that narrow door leads to a narrow road that in turn leads to life. It is hard to find that road. Not many people manage it.


v. 13-14 - Two gates, two ways, two destinations, & 2 groups of people.
v. 17-20 - Two types of trees, two types of fruit
v. 21-23 - Two groups at the time of judgment
v. 24-28 - Two kinds of foundations

You can choose only one path of the two before you. What path will you take this year? Even if you have chosen the wrong path, there is always time to turn around.

So be careful. Guard your hearts. They can be made heavy with moral laxity, with drunkenness, with the hassles of daily life. Then the day I’ve been telling you about might catch you unaware and trap you. Luke 21:34

“Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God.
I am honored among all the nations.
I am honored over all the earth.”
You know the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies, surrounds us and protects us; the True God of Jacob is our shelter, close to His heart. Psalm 46:10-11

Questions to consider as you enter the new:
Do you feel weary and worn out?
What do you need rest from right now?
What's keeping you from taking a rest? (guilt, obligation, or just haven't considered it?)
Why do we feel compelled to strong-arm our way through the trials, pits, valleys, and deserts of life? (it's uncomfortable, I want to hurry up and move past it)
What blessings do we risk missing if we are exhausted through the trials and transitions?


Jan Richardson, holy absence, www.janrichardson.com

Do you feel the pressure of New Year resolutions or choosing a "Word of the Year"?

We feel ya!

As we close the book on 2024 - let's change things up a bit and reflect on these 5 questions - in the end you will find evidence of progress you have made and direction for where God may be leading you in 2025!

• Who is God turning you into?
• What has God removed to you allow you to flourish more?
• What are you working on with God?
• What has been the hardest to let go of?
• What are you excited about?

It's not what you think!

Honesty, respect, purpose and trust!

What is this thing called Advent? Today we demystify all things Advent.

Candle One - Hope/Faith (Isaiah 9)
Candle Two - Love (Isaiah 40)
Candle Three - Joy (Matthew 2)
Candle Four - Peace (John 3)
Candle Five - Jesus's Birth (Christmas)