Wake Up, Look Up

In this episode of Wake Up, Look Up, Pastor Zach reflects on the real cost of standing up for what is right in a world where speaking out can carry serious personal consequences. He considers the tension faced by athletes under pressure and connects it to the story of Esther, who risked everything for the sake of her people. Through that lens, he points to the example of Jesus and challenges us to live with integrity even when it comes at a personal cost.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 science says about dad jokes and why they may play a bigger role in family life than we realize. He reflects on Proverbs 17:22 and the power fathers have to bring joy, encouragement, and healing through their words. As we celebrate Father's Day, this conversation offers both appreciation for dads and a challenge to use their influence to build up those they 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 growing challenges facing American families, including rising costs, parental stress, and the pressures of raising children in today's culture. Reflecting on the role of both government and the church, he argues that Christians are uniquely called to come alongside parents with practical support, encouragement, and care. He also challenges listeners to consider how they can help carry the burdens of the families around 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 reflects on a recent international conflict and the lessons it offers about anger, disagreement, and the consequences of escalating disputes. Drawing from Proverbs, he explores why pursuing understanding and dialogue often leads to better outcomes than rushing into conflict. This episode challenges listeners to consider how they handle tension in their own relationships and to seek wisdom before letting disagreements spiral.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 leadership principles behind a championship-winning team and why character, perseverance, and humility matter just as much as talent. Looking to Scripture, he explores how God often chooses and uses people the world might overlook. Whether you're a leader, teammate, parent, or someone who feels underestimated, this episode offers encouragement and practical wisdom for making a lasting impact.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 a recent college football controversy involving sports gambling, athlete eligibility, and the growing influence of money in the game. Using the story as a starting point, he explores how the pursuit of wealth can distort our judgment and lead us to compromise our values. He also reflects on the biblical warning that money makes a poor king and why Jesus alone is worthy of our ultimate allegiance.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 growing use of kratom, a substance often marketed as a wellness or performance aid despite serious health risks and its potential for addiction. Using the tragic story of former basketball player Brandon Clarke as a starting point, he explores why this issue deserves more attention from churches, parents, and ministry leaders. He also reflects on the biblical call to live in freedom from anything that seeks to control or dominate our 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 reflects on a recent Wall Street Journal article about the rise of “lunch shaming,” where students use cell phones to record and mock peers in school cafeterias. He unpacks the growing impact of this behavior on kids' mental health, identity, and sense of belonging, noting how quickly everyday moments are turned into public ridicule online. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6, he emphasizes the responsibility of parents and communities to shape children around the truth that every person is made in the image of God and deserves dignity. He challenges listeners to have intentional conversations at home about bullying, compassion, and how to follow Jesus in everyday interactions.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 a recent New York Times article highlighting a controversial political moment in Minnesota where a convicted former police officer was honored with a moment of silence. He uses the story to explore how public actions like this can reveal deeper issues of justice, political signaling, and a growing willingness to ignore or distort clear facts for ideological purposes. Drawing from Deuteronomy 16:19, he emphasizes God's call to uphold justice without partiality and warns against using public platforms for shock value or political gain at the expense of truth and integrity.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 a recent Atlantic article about the rise of “solitude influencers” and a cultural shift toward celebrating isolation as a preferred lifestyle. He explores why this trend resonates with people who feel overwhelmed or hurt by relationships, while also noting the irony that even online isolation still depends on connection and attention from others. Drawing from Scripture, he points to God's design for community and the call for believers to live in relationship as part of the people of 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 reflects on a recent CNN Business article highlighting how young filmmakers from Gen Z are reshaping Hollywood through viral success, creative storytelling, and massive financial impact. He draws attention to the way industries are increasingly recognizing the value of younger voices who bring fresh perspective, energy, and cultural insight. Rooted in the biblical vision from Joel about the next generation seeing visions and speaking with purpose, he challenges listeners to resist the instinct to overlook younger people and instead learn from what God may be doing through 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 reflects on a recent cultural controversy involving a political candidate and a long-held offensive tattoo, using it as a lens to explore honesty, accountability, and the difficulty of owning our past. He challenges the tendency in society to avoid full responsibility in favor of self-protection, especially when reputation and ambition are at stake. Rooted in Scripture, he points to the gospel's call toward confession, repentance, and the hope of genuine redemption and change.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 why so many kids today are growing up anxious, fragile, and afraid to take risks. Drawing from James 1 and Matthew 6, he challenges overprotective parenting and argues that adversity, freedom, and real-world experiences are essential for shaping resilient children. Pastor Zach encourages parents to trust God more deeply, loosen their grip, and give their kids the opportunity to truly live.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 growing commercialization of youth sports and asks what happens when money and status begin to shape childhood. Reflecting on 1 Timothy 6 and the importance of community, he challenges parents to think carefully about the long-term impact of chasing scholarships, elite teams, and achievement at all costs. Pastor Zach encourages listeners to consider whether today's decisions are building the kind of childhood, family, and values they truly want for the future.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 growing trend of parents and grandparents helping their children buy homes and asks what the Bible says about generational wealth and generosity. Looking at Proverbs 13:22, he explains why leaving an inheritance can be a reflection of wisdom and stewardship, while also encouraging families to practice generosity now instead of only after death. Pastor Zach also discusses the importance of honesty and communication when generosity comes with expectations or “strings attached.”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 America's growing political tribalism is beginning to impact even the jury room and the pursuit of justice. Looking at the Book of Judges and Proverbs 3, he explains why a society without a shared standard of truth quickly descends into chaos. Pastor Zach challenges listeners to reject self-defined morality and instead allow God to shape their understanding of justice and truth.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 a controversial proposal that could financially compensate people prosecuted for politically motivated crimes, including some connected to January 6. He explores what happens when justice becomes partisan and why Scripture warns against a society that fails to properly deal with wrongdoing. Through Ecclesiastes 8:11, Pastor Zach challenges listeners to ground their understanding of justice in the character of God rather than political tribalism.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 uses the Miami Marlins' unconventional approach to baseball as a powerful reminder that real growth often requires change, risk, and the willingness to look different.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 growing ethical challenges surrounding artificial intelligence after a controversial story involving AI-generated fake quotes in a published book. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday life, this conversation asks an important question: Does technology simply make it easier to compromise our integrity?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 Weihrauch explores the growing conversation around “college coddling,” intellectual resilience, and why discomfort is often necessary for real growth. From university culture to our personal faith journeys, this episode challenges us to stop choosing comfort over transformation.Through Romans 5 and James 1, we're reminded that trials, challenges, and even difficult conversations can shape our character and deepen our faith 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 examines a controversial New York City decision involving protest buffer zones around schools and places of worship. As debates over free speech, safety, and self-expression continue to grow, this conversation asks a deeper question: What happens when personal expression becomes more important than loving our neighbor?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 national debt and the dangerous tendency to believe that if we avoid a problem long enough, it will somehow disappear. But Proverbs 27:12 reminds us that wisdom doesn't ignore danger — it confronts it. From government spending to personal struggles, this conversation challenges us to stop hiding from hard realities and start taking honest steps toward healing, growth, and change.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 growing trend of people turning to AI for friendship, emotional support, and self-understanding–and what may be missing in those conversations. Drawing from current research and Hebrews 4, he contrasts relationships that simply reflect us back to ourselves with the kind of friendships–and faith–that lovingly challenge us to grow. Pastor Zach reminds listeners that real transformation doesn't come from constant affirmation, but from God's truth and the people he places in our lives to help shape 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 examines the growing frustration many Americans feel toward government and asks a simple but challenging question: are we evaluating leadership by results or by tribal loyalty? Drawing from current events and the words of Jesus in Matthew 11, he highlights how true wisdom is revealed not by appearances, promises, or political labels–but by what actually produces lasting fruit. Pastor Zach challenges listeners to think beyond partisanship and pursue leaders, values, and decisions that are proven by their impact.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 a growing conversation around mental health, psychiatry, and the reality that many psychological diagnoses are more complex and evolving than most people realize. He explores the value of therapy, counseling, and medical care while challenging the idea that every struggle can be solved by a label or prescription alone. Pastor Zach encourages believers to embrace both practical help and spiritual truth, reminding us that while medicine can support healing, lasting transformation ultimately comes through the renewing work of 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 explores the surprising comeback of hacky sack among Gen Z and what it reveals about a deeper hunger for real, in-person community. He unpacks how, in a generation shaped by screens, technology, and constant digital connection, young people are still craving shared experiences, belonging, and meaningful relationships. Pastor Zach challenges both parents and the Church to recognize this opportunity–to create spaces where the next generation can be known, grow in faith, and be part of something bigger than themselves.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 growing anxiety about the future–from economic uncertainty to political tension and cultural instability–is shaping major life decisions, including whether people choose to start families. He unpacks how faith in the sovereignty of God gives Christians a different foundation–one marked by peace, trust, and confidence that God is in control even when the world feels uncertain. Pastor Zach encourages listeners to pause and recognize the often-overlooked ways the gospel has already shaped their lives, reminding us that true rest is found in trusting the one who holds it all together.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 growing concerns over the overprescription of psychiatric medications and what leading mental health experts are now saying. He encourages listeners to practice discernment, ask thoughtful questions, and think critically about the advice they receive–especially when it comes to their health. Pastor Zach reminds us that wisdom means testing everything and holding fast to what is good.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 how today's media ecosystem often profits by keeping people afraid, angry, and constantly engaged. He challenges listeners to guard their hearts, pay attention to what they're consuming, and recognize how fear shapes the way we live and see the world. Pastor Zach reminds us that our peace isn't found in headlines or algorithms, but in the unchanging truth of the gospel.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 state of American politics and asks whether our culture has settled for familiar names instead of fresh ideas. He challenges listeners to think beyond party loyalty and consider the importance of both character and competence in leadership. Pastor Zach reminds us that wise leadership matters, and as Christians, how we think about those in authority should be shaped by biblical wisdom.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 AI conversations are increasingly being used in criminal investigations and what that means for privacy in a digital world. He unpacks the spiritual reality that nothing is truly hidden, pointing listeners to Jesus' words about what is done in secret eventually coming to light. Pastor Zach challenges us to live with integrity, remembering that God sees not only our public lives, but our private ones too.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 a recent story involving students being taken to political rallies and what it reveals about worldview, education, and cultural influence. He challenges the idea of neutrality in the classroom and encourages parents to stay engaged in how their children are being shaped. Pastor Zach reminds listeners that the responsibility of spiritual and moral formation begins at home.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 a powerful true story of a former prosecutor who spent years trying to make things right after realizing he had pursued justice for the wrong reasons. Through this story and the example of Zacchaeus, he explores the weight–and freedom–that comes with admitting when we are wrong. The episode challenges listeners to consider where God may be calling them to repentance, reconciliation, and restored relationships.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 a cultural critique, arguing that older generations are unfairly holding disproportionate wealth and influence in society. He unpacks the tension between entitlement and responsibility, challenging the idea that influence should be redistributed rather than earned. The episode ultimately points listeners back to a biblical view of diligence, humility, and learning across generations.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 rising impact of sports gambling and how it is reshaping athletes, competition, and culture in ways many of us overlook. He uses a recent story of a college quarterback's gambling struggle to examine how addiction, incentives, and mass participation are affecting both individuals and the sports we love. The episode challenges listeners to consider not just personal freedom, but the broader consequences of a culture driven by profit and appetite.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 financial secrecy in marriage can quietly erode trust and lead to deep relational damage. Drawing from cultural trends and the biblical teaching that marriage makes two people “one flesh,” he challenges couples to pursue transparency and unity in how they handle money. The episode invites listeners to examine the health of their own relationships and consider where hidden habits may be putting unity at risk.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 quickly we can begin to rationalize behavior when we believe the ends justify the means. He connects a current cultural conversation about moral justification with the biblical warning that “everyone did what was right in their own eyes” in the book of Judges. The episode challenges us to let God's Word–not our reasoning–define what is right and wrong, and to consider where rationalization may already be shaping our own 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 challenges the idea that the “good old days” are worth chasing, unpacking a cultural trend of nostalgia and disillusionment. He explains how the story of Scripture points to a future shaped by God's renewal and redemption. This episode invites listeners to let go of idealized pasts and instead pursue the hope found in what God is building ahead.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 a public scandal to explore why accountability is essential in confronting sin. He explains how unchecked patterns of behavior grow over time, ultimately leading to destruction when no one steps in to challenge them. This episode calls listeners to pursue honest, grace-filled accountability in their relationships before small compromises become something far worse.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 a cultural misunderstanding of what it truly means to be sorry, using a recent public apology as a case study. He contrasts surface-level repentance with the kind that produces real change, emphasizing that true repentance requires surrendering control and taking responsibility. This episode challenges listeners to examine their own apologies and consider whether they reflect genuine transformation or just empty 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 wrestles with a viral story that raises questions about truth, deception, and the growing cynicism in our culture. Rather than landing on a clear answer, he turns the lens inward, exploring how our own sin and brokenness shape the way we view others. This episode invites listeners to confront their cynicism and consider how surrendering to Jesus can restore a belief in goodness.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 growing corruption in Congress and how political loyalty has overtaken personal character. He unpacks how voters have contributed to this shift by prioritizing winning over integrity, leading to leaders whose actions reflect that compromise. This episode challenges listeners to reclaim the importance of character in leadership and consider how their own choices can shape the future.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 listeners to confront how dependent they've become on their phones, pointing to tools like the “brick” device as a wake-up call. He connects this to Scripture, reminding us that anything that masters us competes with Jesus for our attention and devotion. Ultimately, he urges listeners to step away, even temporarily, to recognize that dependence and make room for a deeper relationship with 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 explores the importance of accountability and how its absence can lead to complacency and missed purpose. Using a real-world example, he challenges listeners to consider whether they welcome correction or avoid it. The episode calls believers to pursue growth through discipline, inviting others to speak truth into their lives for the sake of lasting impact.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 easily we can create personal narratives that cast ourselves as the hero or victim in every situation. He challenges listeners to confront the possibility that their own perspective may be shaped by self-deception rather than truth. The episode encourages honest self-reflection and invites believers to pursue healing through confession, accountability, and the transforming work of Jesus.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 danger of using God's name to justify political or military actions. He unpacks why claiming divine authority for human decisions–especially in matters of war–crosses a serious biblical line. The episode calls believers to approach faith and public life with humility, ensuring they speak carefully about what God has and has not said.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 growing normalization of cannabis use and what emerging research reveals about its effects on the brain. He challenges the narrative that marijuana is harmless, pointing to concerns around addiction, mental health, and cognitive decline. The episode calls Christians to pursue lives marked by self-control and freedom in Christ, while also considering how these choices impact the well-being of others.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 a recent controversy involving President Trump using imagery that many Christians view as blasphemous. He challenges believers not to excuse or defend actions that diminish the glory and uniqueness of Jesus, regardless of political alignment. The episode calls listeners to remain grounded in biblical truth, holding their allegiance to Christ above any cultural or political loyalty.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 listeners to consider whether technology is quietly enabling them to work on autopilot instead of fully engaging in what God has called them to do. Using the example of teacher Dylan Cain, he highlights how removing distractions led to greater effort, connection, and real impact. He ultimately calls Christians to work wholeheartedly for the Lord, resisting the temptation to outsource their calling and instead pursuing excellence that leads to true flourishing.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 death threats toward athletes like Nolan Jones tied to the growth of sports gambling. He challenges listeners to consider the deeper consequences of gambling, arguing that its “fruit” reveals a destructive and unloving impact on individuals and society. Ultimately, he calls Christians to reject participation in it and instead pursue a life marked by love for God and neighbor.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 listeners to think wisely about their future in a rapidly changing world shaped by AI. Drawing on a cultural conversation about job security, he encourages a mindset that adapts and adds lasting value rather than relying on what can easily be replaced. Ultimately, he reminds us that biblical wisdom means paying attention, growing our skills, and making thoughtful decisions while trusting in God's sovereignty.Have an article you'd like Pastor Zach to discuss? Email us at wakeup@ccchapel.com!