Guilt and Regret and the Damage They Do

I want to start this week in scripture.

Romans 6:2-5 That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace - a new life in a new land! That’s what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised in

...

How To Stand Firm Daily In This Spiritual War

Today, we are starting a new series called Mind Games – Winning the Battle Within.  We are really looking forward to this conversation because life is so hard, and we face so much on the outside that I’m not sure we realize the real battle is being fought on the inside.  Our lives can feel like a whirlwind; they are so busy and intense that it's hard to pick up on the thoughts and inner conversations we have that impact so much of our lives. We need to understand that our

...

It's Easter, But What Does That Really Mean For Me?

Before we jump into today's talk, I want to ask you something.  If you are a Christian, meaning you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and know that our sins, past, present, and future, are forgiven and forgotten, when was the last time you really thought about what Jesus has done for you?  When was the last time you slowed down and reflected on where your life was before you met Jesus, and where it is today because of Jesus?  When was the last time you truly rem

...

The Wide Road and Narrow Road

Do you remember Sam’s talk last week?  I’m curious to know how it impacted you.  He gave us the analogy of a lost cell phone.  How do we react when we can’t find our cell phone?  Our heart rate goes up.  We get focused.  We hunt for it.  Why?   Because finding that phone is important.   Jesus taught to ask, seek, and knock.   Then Sam asked, “Why do people who love God struggle to make the daily choice to spend time with their Heavenly Father?”  

The latest research shows t

...

Around 70% of Christians Choose Not To Do This But 100% Want What Would Happen If They Did

Welcome back, everyone, to our study of The Sermon on the Mount called “Rethinking Our Faith.”  Last week, Ken kicked off chapter 7 for us, which led to an important conversation about our hearts toward others, and something we should avoid: judging others.  It was an important talk where Ken was able to lean into something that many of us struggle with.  It can be so easy to overlook the planks in our own eyes while focusing on the little specs in someone else’s eye.  Ken

...

How Do I Know I Think I Am 'god"?

One of the most popular sayings that you hear today is, ‘Don’t judge me.’  When someone says, ‘Don’t judge me,’ that basically means they want unlimited approval of everything they do.  Every thought.  Every belief.   Every bad decision.  Every moral decision.  Just accept it.  Approve of me, no matter what I do.   Validate me, no matter how badly I perform.  And if you don’t, you make me feel bad.  You are mean.  You are judging me.  You hate me.   And any negative feedba

...

Don't Worry About Your Life or Future, Easier Said (and Preached) Than Done!

Welcome back to our study of The Sermon on the Mount: Rethinking Our Faith.  Today, we will finish Matthew 6.  In this chapter, Jesus moves from talking about being real and authentic in life and in our spiritual practices right into teachings on serving, prayer, fasting, and giving. Last week, Ken did an awesome job leaning into a conversation about money, how Jesus explains a Christian should view and treat it.  That was fun, right?  It is interesting; money is a major s

...

You Are Going To Love The One and Hate The Other

Did you know that the practical day-to-day choices you make in life impact your spiritual life?  It’s been my experience that people often think the opposite.  Many think, ‘God will change me.  I don’t have to make choices that make me feel uncomfortable.  Or, I don't have to stop something or start something.' So, many passively wait and wait and wait for God to do something while at the same time not making any changes.  And for some, they leave the church thinking that

...

Being Real Is a Gift To You and To Others

Today, we continue our study of the Sermon on the Mount called Rethinking Our Faith.  At this point in the series, a couple of things are clear.  We will have some things to rethink and unlearn in our faith.  We can see how important this sermon is to the Christian life.  And if you think about where we have already been in this series, Jesus addresses many tension points in our faith, you know, those things that we struggle to understand, or just wrestle with in our faith

...

Anger. Lust. Divorce. Being honest. Revenge. Enemies.

Welcome to our series, Rethinking Our Faith.  Why should we rethink our faith?  

Because if our faith hasn’t transformed us to wake up every day with the purpose to please Jesus, we missed it.  

And we should rethink everything.  The point of the Sermon on the Mount is heart transformation.  The kind of heart transformation that changes how we live day to day.  

It’s so important to understand that when God’s kingdom is established in our hearts, it shows up practically in ou

...

IF Walking With God Is Hard or Boring, Your Asking The Wrong Questions

For our first series of 2026, we are studying the Sermon on the Mount.  We are calling this conversation “Rethinking Our Faith” because Jesus challenges everything we feel, think, and believe. He shows us how to live as a follower of His, and it changes everything we may have understood about what it means to be a Christian or to live out our faith.  That means we need open hearts and minds because we have so much to learn, and maybe even more importantly, unlearn about ou

...

Why Many Christians are Dazed, Confused, and Tired

Why should we rethink our faith?  Because if our faith hasn’t transformed our hearts to wake up every day with the purpose to please Jesus, we have missed it.  And we should rethink everything.

Jesus shows up and tells us what it looks like practically to live out our faith.  He shares what it looks like when God’s kingdom is established in our hearts.  We call this sermon, The Sermon on the Mount.  In this sermon, Jesus is introducing us to God’s kingdom.  And when you rea

...

What Does It Mean To Be Truly Blessed?

I’m going to ask you a question right off the bat, today. I want you to think about this.  If I asked you what it looks like to be blessed, how would you answer that question?  When you think of someone who is blessed, what comes to mind?  Health?  Wealth?  Success?  Happiness?  I ask you that because today we study The Beatitudes, which are nine statements Jesus makes about when we are truly blessed.  This is how Jesus starts his famous Sermon on the Mount, and I’m just g

...

Has Your Faith Changed Your Heart and Behaviors?

Welcome to our series called Rethinking Our Faith.  Why should we rethink our faith?  When Jesus shows up and teaches the Sermon on the Mount, it radically changes everything we may have understood about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.  

If you have never read it, it’s wild.   It’s confusing.  And it challenges every area of our lives.  Jesus says things like If you sin with your eye, cut it out.  If you sin with your hand, cut it off.  That’s confusing because if

...

How to Maximize Your Impact in 2026 and Beyond

With Christmas now behind us, it’s time to look ahead to the New Year.  There is something hopeful and exciting about the start of the New Year, isn’t there?  It’s a time to look back and reflect on the year that was, for sure, but it is also a time to look ahead, to set new goals, hopeful and good goals for the New Year.  I am already mentally preparing for what the gym will look like here in January.  This is a fun and hopeful time of year, with lots of traditions and fe

...