Wake Up, Look Up

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores the dangers of identity politics and victim-based leadership through the lens of a recent mayoral campaign in New York City. He contrasts this with the biblical model of leadership—one rooted in humility, service, and love rather than power or fear. Ultimately, we're reminded that true identity and unity are found not in politics, but in Jesus Christ.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach tackles a tough question: Is war ever the right response to Christian persecution? Prompted by reports of violence against believers in Nigeria and the Trump administration's suggestion of military action, Pastor Zach explores how followers of Jesus should think biblically about persecution, justice, and violence. Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach dives into the national conversation around the SNAP program (formerly known as food stamps) amid a government shutdown. He explores what Scripture says about helping those in need while also emphasizing God's design for work and responsibility. Pastor Zach challenges listeners to think beyond politics and consider how followers of Jesus can care for the hungry and encourage meaningful work.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores the spiritual and physical benefits of long walks, prompted by a recent study on walking and health. He connects this practice to biblical principles of rest, reflection, and soul restoration, showing how uninterrupted time with God cultivates mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Pastor Zach encourages listeners to step away from hustle culture, embrace intentional walks, and create space to hear from the Holy Spirit.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores what true friendship looks like through a biblical lens, prompted by a reader's question about long-term friendships. He outlines five principles for godly friendship: sharpening one another, mutual challenge, avoiding complacency, carrying burdens, and pursuing shared purpose. Pastor Zach encourages listeners to evaluate their relationships and invest in friendships that truly reflect Christ's love and call to growth.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach examines London's economic decline under secular leadership and asks whether building cities independent of God leads to collapse. He highlights the dangers of moral relativism and godless policies, emphasizing that true flourishing comes when innovation, justice, and collaboration are rooted in God's wisdom. Pastor Zach encourages listeners to reflect on the spiritual foundations of society and long for the eternal stability of the New Jerusalem.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach examines the debate over gifted programs in schools, prompted by a New York City mayoral policy proposal. He highlights how true equality doesn't come from flattening differences but from recognizing that every person bears God's image and contributes uniquely to the flourishing of society. Pastor Zach calls listeners to value each person's gifts and diversity, showing how God's design, not human-imposed uniformity, leads to justice and community.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores whether Christians should delete DoorDash, reflecting on how takeout culture is reshaping restaurants, hospitality, and human connection. He encourages listeners to see the spiritual significance of going out to eat, valuing fellowship, artistry in meals, and genuine interaction with others. Pastor Zach challenges us to get off the couch, engage with people, and experience the Kingdom of God in everyday encounters.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores the question, can I end hypocrisy? Inspired by a Wall Street Journal article, he explores why we're often quick to spot hypocrisy in others but blind to it in ourselves. Pastor Zach lays out five steps—self-examination, repentance, living with integrity, inviting accountability, and growing in holiness—showing how confronting our own sin and aligning our lives with God's Word transforms us from hypocrisy to authentic faith.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks the question, is America dying? Reflecting on a Washington Post article about the decline of civilizations, he explores what Scripture says about what truly causes nations to fall—and what can restore them. From the warnings of the minor prophets to the promise of healing in 2 Chronicles 7:14, Pastor Zach reminds listeners that while every earthly nation is temporary, Christ's kingdom is unshakable and eternal.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks: Can the gospel survive in China? Prompted by a Wall Street Journal article on the rise of persecution against Christians, he reflects on what true persecution looks like, how Scripture calls us to stand with those who suffer for their faith, and why the gospel cannot be silenced—no matter the opposition. Pastor Zach challenges listeners to pray, advocate, and remember that Jesus' kingdom is forever.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks: Are you missing the secret to spiritual growth? Drawing from a Washington Post study showing people are happier in community than alone, he connects this truth to Scripture—reminding us that we were created for relationship. From Genesis to Acts, the Bible shows that faith was never meant to be a solo journey. Pastor Zach challenges listeners to stop trying to grow alone and instead lean into community—because spiritual growth is a team sport.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks the question, Is Gen-Z a revival generation? Reflecting on a New York Times article, he highlights how young people are turning to Jesus in a chaotic world, guided by the Holy Spirit, finding truth in Scripture, and becoming a faithful remnant. Pastor Zach encourages listeners to celebrate this generation's faith and pray for the revival God is stirring among them.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach tackles a sensitive question: Should pregnant women take Tylenol? Using recent headlines as a starting point, he offers biblical guidance on navigating fear, guilt, and uncertainty—encouraging moms to seek wisdom, trust God's sovereignty, and care for themselves and their children without panic. It's a reminder that God is in control, even in the things we can't fully understand.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks the question: Do we want justice—or just revenge? Prompted by a Wall Street Journal editorial, he unpacks how America's justice system has become politicized on both sides and what true, biblical justice really looks like. Justice, he reminds us, isn't about payback—it's about protecting the vulnerable and holding everyone to God's standard, not our own.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks, whose morality will kids learn? Using the debate in Texas over displaying the Ten Commandments and allowing voluntary prayer in schools, he explores how morality cannot exist untethered from a worldview. Pastor Zach emphasizes that all education—including secular perspectives—is shaped by beliefs. Christians, he argues, have a responsibility to bring biblical morality into the public square, because someone's morality will shape society, and true neutrality is a myth.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks, are people a lost cause? Using the Army's Future Soldier Preparatory Course as an example, he highlights how investment, discipline, and encouragement can transform those who seem unqualified or rejected. Pastor Zach connects this to the biblical view that every person has God-given potential, emphasizing that hope, purpose, and guidance can help anyone grow and flourish.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks, what do we want from leaders? Using Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent speech on military culture and readiness as a starting point, Pastor Zach reflects on the biblical principles of leadership. He emphasizes that true leaders shape culture, provide clarity, and pursue change, showing that leadership is not about popularity but about guiding others toward vision, order, and alignment with God's purposes.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores the question, how do you solve hate? Using the story of Eli Sharabi, an Israeli who survived 491 days as a Hamas hostage, Pastor Zach reflects on the depth of human hatred and the need for moral clarity. He emphasizes that the Gospel of Jesus Christ—not politics or force—is what can transform hearts of hate into hearts of peace, and that global missions are central to bringing that hope to the world.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach examines the question, is conversion therapy biblical? Using a recent Supreme Court case in Colorado as a starting point, he explores how Christians should think about counseling related to gender and sexuality. Pastor Zach emphasizes that true change is central to the Gospel, confusion is not compassion, and Christian counselors are called to guide people toward God's design for human flourishing while speaking truth in love.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores the question, is it ever too late to be sorry? Using current events as a starting point, he unpacks what true confession and repentance look like, emphasizing that genuine apologies come before exposure, give up power, and seek reconciliation. This episode challenges listeners to consider how delayed or hollow repentance affects relationships and reminds us that forgiveness, mercy, and healing are only possible when sorrow and accountability are authentic.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach reflects on why we often fail to pray for peace in conflict zones around the world. Using the ongoing Israel-Hamas situation as a lens, he challenges listeners to let their hearts break for those who lack peace and to actively engage in informed, intercessory prayer. This episode reminds us that as followers of Christ, our call to be peacemakers extends far beyond our immediate surroundings, joining God in his global concern for all people.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores our culture's tendency to jump to conclusions, using the recent Mark Sanchez story as an example. He reminds us that God values truth, practices patience, and brings justice on his timeline—encouraging us to respond with sober-mindedness and wait for all the facts before forming opinions. This episode challenges us to slow down, think clearly, and let truth guide our reactions rather than impulse.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores how proactive, compassionate intervention can prevent school shootings. Highlighting a New York case where a bullied and isolated teen was supported through counseling, tutoring, and community care, Pastor Zach emphasizes the biblical principles of acting justly, loving mercy, and bearing one another's burdens, showing that addressing struggles early can save lives and transform potential tragedy into hope.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores whether Apple's new AirPods Pro 3 could give us a glimpse of heaven. Using the real-time translation feature as an example, he reflects on how technology can unite people across languages and cultures, advance the Great Commission, and hint at the future unity of the new heavens and new earth, where barriers are removed and human creativity flourishes under God's glory.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach unpacks whether AI can really help you find your soulmate. He argues that love isn't about perfect algorithms or matches but about daily choices, growth, and the kind of Christ-centered love that goes beyond compatibility—loving and being loved even in the midst of brokenness.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores new parental controls added to ChatGPT and what they mean for families. Prompted by a recent Wall Street Journal article, he challenges parents to not only use these tools but also to actively engage their kids in conversations about faith, mental health, and the influence of technology—reminding us that guiding the next generation is a spiritual responsibility as much as a practical one.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach reflects on the recent tragedy of a church shooting in Michigan and what it may signal about a rising wave of violence against places of worship. He offers five biblical perspectives on how Christians can process these events—with honesty about fear, confidence in God as our refuge, and a call to deeper discipleship and fearless worship in uncertain times.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores the rise of workplace hotlines and what they reveal about accountability. He reminds listeners that while coworkers may or may not know our secrets, God always sees, and his call to repentance offers a path to forgiveness and growth.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach challenges the idea that marriage is only for the “successful” or “worthy.” He explains that marriage is a covenant, not a reward, and that true partnership is about growing together in love, not measuring each other by culture or wealth. Pastor Zach reminds listeners that God's design for marriage focuses on mutual sanctification and character, not financial or social achievement.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach examines Monica Lewinsky's approach to shame and contrasts it with the biblical path to forgiveness. He explores how the gospel offers true freedom from guilt—not through rationalizing or reclaiming your own narrative, but by taking sin to Jesus and embracing his mercy. We're reminded that lasting healing comes through God's grace, not cultural or self-defined solutions.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach examines the biblical call to love our enemies in light of recent events. He unpacks how God's love and justice work together, showing that even in anger or grief, we are called to respond with grace and forgiveness. Pastor Zach also explores the difference between human impulses and God's standard for how we treat others, even those who have wronged us.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach breaks down the controversy around Jimmy Kimmel, Disney, and free speech, exploring how Christians should think about government, accountability, and moral responsibility. He highlights that while free speech is a God-given right, every one of us is ultimately accountable to God for our words.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks, “How do you make a killer?” Prompted by a Wall Street Journal article, he examines the troubling pattern of young men drifting into isolation, online subcultures, and ultimately violence. Pastor Zach calls the Church to respond by teaching that isolation opposes God's design, instilling the value of work, guarding minds against harmful digital influences, and intentionally pursuing young men as a mission field.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks, “Can I choose my kids' friends?” Reflecting on the tension between dwindling parental authority and growing peer influence, he offers a biblical framework for guiding teenagers through relationships. Pastor Zach encourages parents to focus on stewardship over control, use conversation and guidance as tools, and trust God's long-term work in their children's lives.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks, “Will medicine fix its mistake?” Prompted by a Wall Street Journal article, he addresses the harm caused by gender transition procedures on teenagers and the lack of medical pathways for those who regret them. Pastor Zach points to God's design for gender, the biblical call to protect children, and the hope of restoration found in Christ.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks the question, “Do you praise God with that mouth?” Drawing from Scripture, he explores why our words matter, how they reveal the condition of our hearts, and why profanity and corrupt speech work against the purpose God designed for our language. He reminds us that our mouths are meant for building others up and for praising God, and that holy speech flows from hearts being made new in Christ.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks the bold question: can the rich beat God? Drawing from a Wall Street Journal article on billionaires investing billions in longevity research, he contrasts humanity's fear of death with the certainty Scripture gives. While wealth and science promise only temporary control, the gospel offers eternal life through Jesus Christ—free of charge.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores the surprising question: can haircuts be holy? Using the example of athletes and their barbers, he shows how everyday work—no matter how small—can honor God and impact others in meaningful ways. From cutting hair to serving in church, faithfulness in the ordinary matters to God and shapes lives more than we realize.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores America's growing “buy now, pay later” culture and the dangers of mounting debt. He shows how Scripture describes debt as slavery, contrasting it with the freedom Christ offers, and explains why materialism becomes idolatry when it replaces God as our source of security and joy. The episode challenges us to pursue financial freedom and lasting hope in Jesus rather than in stuff that can never satisfy.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores how Christians should respond to the death of public figures like Charlie Kirk. He offers seven pastoral and biblical insights on the subject, ultimately challenging listeners to think critically, avoid worldly labels, and prioritize the gospel above online debates.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach reflects on Taylor Swift's global influence and what it reveals about seeing and understanding people's stories. He connects her ability to resonate deeply with fans to the way God sees us uniquely and how Jesus engaged people personally in Scripture. The takeaway: the church must move beyond preaching at people and instead bring the gospel into their stories with empathy, gentleness, and respect.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach reflects on the recent canonization of Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teen recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. Using Scripture, he explains why sainthood and praying to saints are unbiblical, reminding us that all believers are called saints and that Jesus alone is our mediator. The episode ultimately points us back to the gospel, where glory and miracles belong only to God. Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach addresses the rise of far-right influencer Nick Fuentes and asks if hate has become the new gospel. He warns that Fuentes' messages of racism, antisemitism, and misogyny directly contradict the teachings of Jesus, who calls us to love our enemies and value every human being as made in God's image. Pastor Zach emphasizes that as Christians, our allegiance is to the kingdom of Jesus, not any ethnic identity or political ideology, and following voices like Fuentes risks turning people away from Christ.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Zach's son, Deacon Weihrauch reflects on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it means for Christians today. He reminds us that responding to hatred with hatred only fuels more division, but Jesus calls us to respond with love, courage, and truth. Deacon challenges both older and younger generations to step up as mentors and leaders, carrying the gospel forward with boldness in a time of growing opposition.

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach discusses the power of reading to children and asks if parents are missing a key discipleship tool. He explains that reading not only strengthens bonds but also teaches children about God's character and instills faith, citing Proverbs 22, Deuteronomy 6, and Romans 10. Parents are reminded that their home is the primary place for theological formation and that reading Scripture to their kids shapes both the child and the parent.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach discusses the impact of phones in schools and asks who really rules the classroom. He explains that smartphones distract students, harm attention and behavior, and contribute to anxiety and depression. Drawing on biblical principles, he emphasizes the need for order, obedience, and cultivating stillness to grow in character and spiritual maturity.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach asks the question, is a teen you love at risk? He shares how 72% of American teenagers are turning to AI chatbots for emotional support, but warns that artificial relationships can never replace real wisdom, accountability, or connection. Pastor Zach reminds us that God designed us for human intimacy, and that true healing and guidance come only from him.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach explores the question, can more money fix our government? Prompted by a New York Times opinion piece, he considers whether raising congressional salaries might actually attract more competent and ethical leaders. Using both cultural insight and biblical teaching, he argues that underpaying leaders devalues leadership, fosters corruption, and ignores God's design for wise, well-supported leadership. Ultimately, Pastor Zach challenges us to see leadership as a gift worth honoring so that we might raise up the best leaders possible.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach unpacks the recent Texas law change impacting dreamers and asks: should children pay for their parents' choices? He explores how Christians can hold justice and mercy together when it comes to immigration, reminding us that following Jesus means thinking with nuance—not just party lines.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach shares the story of PGA golfer Tommy Fleetwood, who finally won his first championship after years of near-misses. Pastor Zach unpacks how Fleetwood's perseverance mirrors the biblical call to keep going in faith, even when results don't come right away. Drawing from Galatians 6:9, Romans 5, and 1 Peter 5:6, he reminds us that God values daily obedience over instant success.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!