Who doesn’t love a good movie, TV show, or book? It’s entertaining, it keeps our attention, and it oftentimes gets us to place ourselves in a character’s position. The Bible has this same effect (if you actually read it). The book of Judges is one of those books of the Bible you may not be very f...

Are you the type of Christian that the world doesn't mind putting up with and has even come to love? The world is fond of those who hold close the philosophies of the culture around them but still call themselves Christians. This episode highlights when we mix messages and looks at the dangerous ...

07.19.24. It's going to cost us to follow Jesus. He was upfront about us needing to give up the things we treasure. But, Jesus also said, joyfully giving up the things we have is possible when we find a superior treasure. Through two short parables Jesus told, Pastor Mike helps us see what this t...

Sharon Buck was looking to stay at home with her children. So with her mom's encouragement, she started selling makeup even though she didn't wear it! God opened some big doors for her. But her life was not without hardship. Her son, Russ, went to be with Jesus while he was serving in the Coast G...

What do you do when someone you love and are close to proclaims that Jesus is not their Savior? This is tough and can weigh down on us. C.L. has struggled with this and has come up with some non-microwaved truths based on God's Word and God's capabilities.

Matthew 28:19
Luke 10:16
Phil...

07.07.24. God’s Word doesn't always seem to work in our lives. We share it, read it, and hear it, but it doesn’t seem to change us spiritually. That's because the Word of God, Jesus said, is like a seed—it's packed with potential, but it is also small and vulnerable. How vulnerable? Pastor Mike i...

How do we deal with the heat of temptation? Especially when it's a fight against an evil we can hardly comprehend?

Is God just like an "undercover boss"? Or is it actually possible for God to understand what we're dealing with when we're being tempted?

Temptation doesn't happen from just a simple flip of a switch. It's a slow build, Pastor Caleb says. But listen to one of the most famous biblical accounts of temptation to know of the hope you have.

How would you define temptation? Pastor Caleb identifies the three forces that tempt us—and where to find strength to combat temptation.

07.12.24. We live in a culture that often says bigger is better, as we easily dismiss the small and mundane as too insignificant to be powerful. But believing this common trope can be spiritually dangerous. Pastor Mike walks us through two of the smallest stories Jesus ever told that give us a re...

Can people truly change? In this episode, we will reflect on how we often perceive others based on outdated impressions and challenge whether these perceptions are accurate reflections of who they are now. The discussion will revolve around the factors that contribute to both positive and negativ...

Pastor Mike and Amber Albee Swenson give us a preview of the next TV message series, "Jesus' Growth Plan for Me." While discussing Jesus' parables that this series is based on, we also learn of the "mustard seed moments" that changed both Mike's and Amber's lives (both involve their moms), what A...

In the seventh episode of this eight-part series, we'll look at the consequences to Eli and his family because of his sons' sins. What does disobedience cost us?

It is a major struggle to balance personal beliefs with societal expectations, particularly regarding “love is love.” This episode challenges the notion of accepting behaviors that contradict biblical teachings, emphasizing the importance of standing firm in one's faith and adhering to the comman...

06.28.24. Hell is a relic from a fear-based, fire-and-brimstone age, a cruel tool used by church authorities to maintain power and control. So why did Jesus himself mention it so much? Why is he the number-one user of the word “hell” in the entire Bible? Why was he unembarrassed to talk about fi...

When things don't work out, it's easy to fall into despair or wonder if God hears your prayers. We'll look at three accounts in the Bible to see what may be happening when doors are closed.

In the eighth and final episode of this series on Hannah and Eli, we'll see how God brought about what he said would happen.

In the week following a close friend's death, I reflected on the lessons she taught me over the course of our friendship. Those lessons were good reminders for me. Perhaps they will be good reminders, or new lessons, for you too.

What makes porn so bad if no one has been hurt by it?

Pastor Mike mentions the ministry Conquerors through Christ, which helps in the battle against porn addiction. Learn more at https://conquerorsthroughchrist.net/

Elon Musk believes that our time on Earth is ticking down and that we should go to Mars. What does God think of that?

Is it murder when a soldier kills someone in war? Is that breaking the commandment not to murder?

Are we altering God's creation of us if we wear makeup to look like something we're not?