This week, the teaching team has a candid conversation about the last few weeks and what we have personally learned. We discuss where we go from here, and how to make an impact in a divided nation. Panel: Pastor Keith Thornton, Pastor Mike Newsom, Pastor Matt Samler & Pastor Tommy BellamyAutor: Brent Freeman

Certain subjects are too divisive, so we avoid discussing them because we live in a divided world. In Matthew, we find a moment in which two opposing groups unite together for a shared purpose, to trap Jesus.Autor: Brent Freeman

Chess players know the term "checkmate." It's the signal that the game is over, and no moves are left on the board. Have you ever felt like your life is in checkmate? This week a famous painting reminds us reality is not always what it seems.Autor: Matt Samler

This week, the Peace Corps manual offers a valuable lesson in jungle survival that applies to our everyday life.Autor: Brent Freeman

Ten years ago a series of messages called "storms", helped all of us learn to prepare and respond to the challenges in life. This week in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the events in the Middle East, we revisit the key truth from that series.Autor: Brent Freeman

Joseph had many highs and lows throughout His life. He experienced everything from favoritism, power, and authority to slavery, false accusations, and prison. As we come toward the end of Joseph's story, we see an incredible demonstration of God's love and divine providence.Autor: Brent Freeman

Sometimes we find ourselves at the receiving end of others' bad choices, facing hardship and pain that we didn't invite into our lives. One of the toughest pills to swallow in life is the fact that we aren’t always in control.Autor: Brent Freeman

So many people believe that their lives would change if they only got a break. Most want what others have and don’t want what they went through and the work they had to do to get where they are.Autor: Brent Freeman

Have you ever felt forgotten or abandoned? Joseph was at a low point in life, and when it looked like hope was on the horizon, those who should have shown loyalty, forgot about Him.Autor: Brent Freeman

Temptation is all around us. While many imagine temptation as bait dangled at the end of a fishing pole, the reality is, that temptation is far more intrusive than we think. The question is, what can we do about it?Autor: Brent Freeman

"Broken" doesn't mean only what you think! When we say something is broken, it means there is some level of dysfunction or hurt. But just because something is "broken" does not mean it can't be used differently!Autor: Guest Speaker

A Jelly Roll song has recently captured wide attention, as its message speaks directly to the many struggles that people feel daily. This week, we kick off a series looking at the life of Joseph, His family battles, and the obstacles He overcame.Autor: Brent Freeman

Autor: Brent Freeman

To close our unplanned journey, we travel to the isle of Patmos, where the apostle John was banished, expecting He never to be heard from again. However, through John, Jesus gave us what we now call the book of Revelation, an outline of things to come.Autor: Brent Freeman

This week, we flip back to the beginning of our travels, to an epic location where Paul countered the thinkers of His day to point them to an unknown god, they were desperately seeking.Autor: Brent Freeman

This week we venture to a place known for its natural beauty, and elevated sacred retreats. But despite the uniqueness of this special place, it left those who went inside eager to leave quickly.Autor: Brent Freeman

This week we follow the Apostle Paul after He was run out of the city. He sends a letter back to the Early Church, that challenged them and certainly speaks to us today, to live a life that pleases God.Autor: Mike Newsom

What is freedom? Most people answer the question like this, "to be able to do what I want when I want. Never being controlled by anything so I can go with the flow." While that is certainly one form of freedom, it pales in comparison to the ultimate freedom offered to mankind.Autor: Brent Freeman

Life is full of constant battles, yet many of us are unprepared for what we will face. In reality, most people will not prepare for a danger they don't perceive.Autor: Brent Freeman

There is a simple truth we all have to face, life doesn't go as planned. Even the Apostle Paul faced this same reality, as He traveled from town to town seeking to spread the gospel and plant new Churches. So how do we respond when life doesn't go as planned?Autor: Tommy Bellamy

What do you see when you look at others, even those who attend church with you? Do you see people who have it all together or hurting people needing comfort? When everybody looks happy, we assume everything is okay. But we need to look beyond the facade & realize that the world is full of hurting people.…

This week we travel to one of the most inspiring and spectacular places in the ancient world. Its combination of Art, Religion & Money made it in modern terms, the equivalent of the wealth of the Swiss banks, the religious power of the Vatican, the advertising potential of the Super Bowl, and the importance of all the world museums combined. People…

Throughout this series, we will follow in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul. Paul got uncomfortable to preach the gospel. One of the places Paul spent time, was known for its immorality, yet the impact of His time there, was felt far beyond the city's borders.Autor: Brent Freeman

This holiday weekend we stop to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and security of Americans everywhere. Yet as we remember those men and women, we also remember the gift of Salvation offered to us all.Autor: Keith Thornton

Today's choices could lead to tomorrow's chains. What choices are you making today? How does that affect your perspective? We need to remember that we are in chains for Christ, not by ChristAutor: Matt Samler

Perhaps due to the social media phenomenon, most people would not consider themselves an influencer when asked. However, everyone influences the life of another, and it turns out Jesus had a lot to say on the subject!Autor: Brent Freeman

People today are so eager to raise their social status. Who are we trying to impress? Rather than aiming for prestige, look for a place where we can serve.Autor: Brent Freeman

The Bible has much to say about money, wealth, greed, contentment, and other topics pertaining to our financial and spiritual lives. There are over 2,000 verses in the Bible on this topic, almost half the parables, and one out of every ten verses in the Gospels deal with this subject. In a world where all income brackets live paycheck to paycheck, …

Current statistics say that approximately 92 million selfies are snapped daily around the world. The average person spends, a total of seven minutes taking selfies. It begs the question, what are we worshipping?Autor: Brent Freeman

You've heard the saying, Bigger is not always better. We confuse the size of our home, with our sense of satisfaction. Culturally we've downsized the things that matter, for things that do not. Today anxiety and insecurity are increasing as it appears the world is spiraling out of control. However, the Bible speaks to what is happening worldwide an…

This week we stop to give God thanks and challenge our Church family, as we ask God for greater days ahead.Autor: Brent Freeman

There is a road that is known as the most dangerous road in America. It’s called the "Million Dollar Highway". There is a 12-mile stretch of winding mountain road, and if you're driving south you'll be on the cliffside, with no guardrails! The origin of the name is unclear. But the locals say "You'd have to pay me a million dollars" to drive that s…

Prayer is a powerful tool. Through prayer, I have seen people recover from medical battles, relationships restored, families healed, circumstances changed, and people saved. However, I also know there will be times when prayer will not change what is about to happen. So the question must be addressed, "Why pray?"…

Nicknames are a funny thing, they can be a reflection of our strengths or our greatest weaknesses. A source of pride or humiliation. Jesus gave a nickname to one of His disciples, that didn't appear to reflect who He was at all in the moment. Perhaps it's because Jesus sees our potential and who we can become.…

Most of us are familiar with the moment when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. However, in this event, we also learn about a woman named Martha. But Martha's story isn't limited to this one event. This week we take some time to examine a life, that was preoccupied and overly busy, and how that life drastically changed.…

This week we are looking at a subject that is often misunderstood or even ignored within Christianity. But if it is properly put into practice, can make a dramatic difference in our spiritual lives.Autor: Brent Freeman

What do you do when your life is on the line, and the only out requires you to compromise your beliefs? When you're facing the literal fires in life, that is when you need to trust God. But Trusting God is only possible when you know Him.Autor: Brent Freeman

This week we look at a man born to live a special life, set apart from the nation around Him. Despite His parent's efforts to dedicate their child to God's service, He repeatedly made one bad decision after another. But once again, we see that His story didn't end there.Autor: Brent Freeman

The most important question a person can ask is, why am I here? Am I just taking up space on a planet spinning into nowhere? Or is there an ultimate purpose out there? Is there a true reason for living?Autor: Brent Freeman

Be Honest. How often do you see something and think, "If I could just have..." ? It's amazing how all of us struggle to go through life without chasing bigger and "better" stuff. This week we examine the advice of a man who had everything He could ever want.Autor: Brent Freeman

Driving home one afternoon, I came across a squirrel in the middle of the road. It struggled to figure out whether to run left or run right, so it stood frozen in no man's land. Essentially what I'm saying, this message came out of an encounter with a squirrel.Autor: Brent Freeman

The weather last week brought about some changes. It changed our service schedule, our work schedules, and of course, schools were closed. The interesting thing in our area is that while some addresses saw record snow accumulations, others saw nothing! Those who didn't get snow accumulation weren't happy, because we all love snow! Throughout the Bi…

We all face difficult circumstances, but Daniel was facing death. King Nebuchadnezzar put Daniel in an impossible situation, so He turned to God for help.

Over the course of 2023, a common thread emerged. This week we stop and reflect on the past year and how the messages impacted our lives.Autor: Brent Freeman

Auld Lang Syne, a song with a history very few people know. In fact, it's rare to find anyone who knows the lyrics or the meaning. Auld Lang Syne is a song that celebrates "the Good Old Days", and was originally used at memorials or funerals. So why use it as an anthem, to celebrate the year ahead?Autor: Brent Freeman

Inspiration can sometimes come from very surprising places. This year an unusual source offers a great reminder.Autor: Brent Freeman

The word 'Merry' rarely appears in our vocabulary. In fact, Christmas may be the only time of year people use the word at all. There is an Christmas Carol with unknown origins, that uses this word in the title. The question is, what does the song actually mean?Autor: Brent Freeman

The Head Basketball Coach at Baylor University instituted something into the program, that spread across the campus, "A Culture of Joy". Drew simply states, "The love and joy they have for each other is definitely a key to our success."Autor: Brent Freeman

Joy is different from happiness. Where Joy is a measure of how good we feel over time, Happiness is about what makes us feel good in the present moment.Autor: Brent Freeman

We all have moments when things aren't going the way we'd like, when stress and pressure can easily take the forefront. Sometimes the best thing we can do is intentionally change our perspective by reflecting on all reasons we have to be thankful.Autor: Brent Freeman, Keith Thornton, Mike Newsom