Podcasts about life groups

Troy kicks off our Basecamp series talking about the importance of community with the specific application of Life Groups and the blessing they hold

ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Send us Fan MailReady is not a personality trait, it's a practiced way of living. We open up 2 Timothy and take Paul's charge seriously: preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, and keep your faith when the moment is inconvenient. Along the way, we talk about what it actually means to “rightly handle the word of truth” so we're not twisting Scripture into a feel good quote, but letting God's Word form a steady, resilient life.You'll also hear a moving update from Shiloh about serving with our partners in Thailand, from kids and youth camps to homeless outreach, and a sobering look at ministry connected to the red light district and children impacted by trafficking. Her story puts mission, compassion, and courage in the same frame, and it reminds us that God is moving even in places that feel impossibly dark.From there, we get practical and personal: fleeing the passions that pull us off course, resisting the trap of “itching ears,” and holding grace and holiness together without sliding into legalism or excuses. We share a simple image that sticks: you can have a whole toolbox nearby, but if you don't carry the right tool into the moment, you still get stuck. Scripture is meant to be on your tool belt, ready to correct, train, and strengthen you for real life.If you're ready to recommit, or to say yes to Jesus for the first time, we make space for that response too. Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who needs a steady word, and leave a review so more people can find the message.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Welcome to Mission City Church! In this message, "All In," we dive into Hebrews 12:1 and explore what it truly means to run the race God has set before us as a church family. Just like a torch relay, we are ordinary people entrusted with an extraordinary flame—and each of us has a vital leg of the journey to run. We look closely at the four essential pillars that shape our faith and church DNA: Worship, Life Groups, Service, and Giving. Discover how gathered worship realigns our hearts, how authentic community keeps us grounded, how serving unveils our God-given purpose, and how biblical generosity unlocks true spiritual freedom. Whether you are taking your first step, looking to get connected, or ready to deepen your commitment, it is time to throw off every hindrance and go "All In" for Jesus!Connect with us!Missioncity.church

These Are Our People Max Kozak Download Psalm 106,Praise the Lord!Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?3 Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!4 Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; help me when you save them,5 that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.6 Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.Mark Twain famously said that history doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes. That's why I love reading narrative nonfiction. Whether it's Shackleton, or John Adams, there is something uniquely “sticky” about gleaning important lessons other men have learned in the context of hearing their stories. And that's what we'll see the Psalmist setting out to do here, in Psalm 106.Similar to last week, the bulk of this Psalm is another recounting of Israel's history. And the story pretty much picks up where we left off last week. God has demonstrated his mighty power and covenant love by rescuing his people out of Egypt — and now, finally, Israel is about to cross the Red Sea and be on their way to the promised land. But although the story continues, the focus shifts. Psalm 106 has been described as “the dark counterpart to Psalm 105,” because its main focus is on the sin and rebellion of God's people. And we need to see both. Let's pray again, and then we'll jump in.Father, you are a mighty God who shows steadfast love to his covenant people. That was true when you led Israel out of Egypt to the promised land — and it's true now, as you lead us by your Spirit, through your Word. Help us to see and receive what you want to show us this morning in your Word, I pray in Jesus name, amen.1. The Tension: Blessing Belongs to the RighteousBefore we get into the story, we notice that there is a tension introduced in the first few verses that continues throughout this Psalm.After calling Israel to praise the Lord and give him thanks (v.1–2), the Psalmist reminds Israel that blessing belongs to the righteous: “blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times.” (v. 3)He then personally appeals to God's blessing — asking that he would get in on the prosperity, gladness, and glory of God's covenant people (v.5). He says remember me (when you show favor to your people). Help me (when you save them). He wants to be included in their prosperity and the blessings of their inheritance.But if you read ahead, you'll say time out, this makes no sense.First, we'll see later in the Psalm that Israel is in exile when this psalm is written. The “prosperity and gladness” that he wants to get in on is far from Israel's current reality.Second, he's just linked God's blessing to righteousness, but the history that he then goes to great lengths to recount reveals that Israel's track record is the opposite of righteousness. And remember, God's covenant with Israel includes not just blessings for obedience, but also, curses for disobedience (laid out famously in Deuteronomy 28). And as we go through the story we'll see that it's the curses, not the blessings that fit Israel's track record.So that's the elephant in the room — the tension from the start is this: if blessing belongs to the righteous, how can the psalmist identify himself with Israel's wickedness, and yet appeal to God's blessing?2. Israel's Dark Pattern of SinThe story picks up in v.6:“Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.”Now, before we analyze the story, it's important to recognize what he's not doing and what he is doing. First, He is not denouncing or rejecting his heritage. It's clear in verses 4 and 5 that he has tied his identity to God's chosen nation. “Ride or die,” he has linked his fate to that of God's covenant people. At the same time he is not hiding their wickedness. He calls sin, sin, no matter where he sees it. There is no protecting reputations or sugarcoating here.It's also worth noting that he is not “taking on” or “repenting for” his father's sins. There is no “group guilt” going on here. Scripture is clear:“Each will give an account of himself to God.” (Rom 14:12)And yet, he's honest enough to see himself in their story. He does not say “well if it were me in that wilderness, man, I'd do better” — the arrogant attitude that C.S. Lewis calls “chronological snobbery.”Instead, he leads us through a hard, honest look at Israel's history, and a hard honest look at his own heart to identify the dark pattern of sin and rebellion that cuts through every human heart. “Both we and our fathers have sinned.”If last week's history lesson was meant to show us: “wow, this is our God,” this week's history lesson reveals the flip side of the coin: “uff, these are our people.”The Red Sea (vv. 7-12)And we see their first failure at the Red Sea. Israel is on the cusp of leaving Egypt. They are about to walk free after 400 years of slavery. God had absolutely humiliated Pharaoh. Round after round, demonstrating both his power and his covenant love through his Judgement on Egypt, culminating in the death of every firstborn, and making Pharaoh finally relent and let Israel go. So here they are — their Fourth of July moment. And we see rebellion right at the starting line.“Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.” (v. 7)Pharaoh changes his mind, the Israelites see the chariots coming, and they turn on Moses and God saying “did you bring us out here to die?! Didn't we tell you in Egypt to leave us alone?”The Psalmist's first charge begins with “they did not consider God's works” — literally, they gave them no thought — “And forgot the abundance of his love.” Not paying attention, and forgetting, are high-stakes moral offenses, when it comes to our posture towards God. Remembering is a reflection of what we value, and God has given his people provisions for our remembering with many rhythms, disciplines, and reminders to reinforce our attentiveness to Him. Take advantage of them! Meditate on his word daily, tell of his wondrous works to one another, teach them to your children!But instead, Israel's forgetting here reveals their disregard for God and it results in rebellion. Yet God still intervened: He split the sea, destroyed the Egyptian army, and brought them out of Egypt. And for a brief moment, “they believed his word and sang his praise” (v.12). And they lived happily ever after … right?No, instead, we see the fickleness of their trust immediately in the next verse.Wilderness Cravings (vv. 13-15)“But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. 14 But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; 15 he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.” (v. 13)Instead of delighting in the Lord who just saved them, they forget again, and their hearts are corrupted by disordered desires.They had “wanton cravings” for food — literally translates “they crave-craved” food — to the point of putting God to the test: trying to manipulate God into proving himself to them on their terms.There is nothing wrong with their desire for meat, nor with asking God to provide good things we crave. But when you combine forgetting God and disordered desires, our cravings become deadly. Yet God gives them the meat they wanted, and his anger came with it in a wasting disease, where many people died, giving that place the name “graves of craving.”The Coup Against Moses (vv. 16-18)We'll skip over verses 16-18, but basically a group of prominent men, driven by jealousy rises up against Moses in a coup … God intervenes … the ground opens and swallows the leaders alive … and fire from heaven consumes the rest.The Golden Calf (vv. 19-23)Then comes the infamous golden calf episode. Verse 19:“They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a metal image. 20 They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. 21 They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, 22 wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. 23 Therefore he said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.”Israel forgets again, and this time the whole nation rebels in idolatry. Instead of worshipping God, their savior, they chose to worship pretty much the most pathetic thing they could find. An ox, (that's a male cow) that eats grass. It was pathetic, but more importantly, it was deeply wicked, and a betrayal of their God. And we see its seriousness in verse 23:“Therefore he said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.”After everything from Abraham to Moses, God was ready to wipe them out and start over with Moses. That's the gravity of the situation. And there's no doubt that they deserved destruction, on the spot — ground opening up, or fire coming down. But Moses stands in the breach — a military image: when a wall has been breached, the city's about to get sacked except for a champion who steps into the gap, inserting himself to rescue the people.So what's going on here? Is Moses opposing God? Was God overreacting? Not at all. God is displaying here both the gravity of their sin, while also laying the groundwork for what it will ultimately take to deal with it. God wants Israel to know that the only thing that kept them from experiencing the just wrath of God was God's chosen one interceding on their behalf. And because of Moses' intercession, the flood of God's wrath is held back, at least for now, and without any delusions about what their sin deserves.The Spies Refuse the Promise (vv. 24–27)Then, on the very edge of the promised land, twelve spies are sent to scout it out. Ten of them give a cowardly report that ignites fear in the nation: “giants, fortified cities, no chance.” And Israel, again, ignores God's promise.“They despised the pleasant land, having no faith in his promise” (v.24).The result: an entire generation dies in the wilderness, without entering the promised land.Phinehas' Intercession (vv. 28–31)Fast forward to verse 28. Israel is now in Moab, right on the doorstep of the land, and they rebel again. This time they join themselves to the Moabites by worshiping their pagan idols and committing sexual immorality with them. So God's anger breaks out in a deadly plague against his people.And here in the midst of this plague, someone again intercedes — but this time it looks a little different. Phinehas (Aaron's grandson) sees a blatant demonstration of rebellion happening openly between a leading Israelite man and a prominent Moabite woman, so he grabs his spear, and executes judgment on both: with one thrust, deals with sin on the spot. And as the text says:“he intervened, and the plague was stayed, and that was counted to him as righteousness from generation to generation forever” (v.30–31).“Intervened” is an interesting choice of word. It's that intercession language again. Moses turned away God's wrath through intercessory pleading. Phinehas turns away God's wrath through intercessory action, executing justice for sin on the spot. Both are described as acts of intercession that hold back the flood of God's judgement against Israel, for now.And there's an important application for us here: Confront sin in your life head-on. Do not coddle sin, or it will destroy you. That requires calling sin what it is, and not concealing it. Phinehas confronted sin out of his righteous Zeal for the Lord and out of his love for his people. So confront sin starting with your own heart, and then commit to helping one another confront sin in Life Groups. The stakes are too high for a Minnesota-Nice coddling of sin. Sin dishonors God and when left unchecked will destroy you! Help each other root it out, in love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend.Defiling the Land (vv. 34–40)Fast forward to verse 34. Israel is finally in the promised land. You'd think, after everything they've been through, they would have learned. Instead, once they're finally in the land, they again, immediately disregard what God commands. God had told them to destroy the Canaanites, but instead…“They did not destroy the peoples, as the Lord commanded them, 35 but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. 36 They served their idols, which became a snare to them. 37 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; 38 they poured out innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was polluted with blood. 39 Thus they became unclean by their acts, and played the whore in their deeds. 40 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, and he abhorred his heritage;”Instead of obeying God and executing righteous judgement (like Phinehas) to remove the evil from the land, they became just like them. They served their gods, and polluted the land with the blood of their own sons and daughters whom they sacrificed to demons!These are dark, dark verses. It should make us sick to our stomach. And it's an important reminder of the trajectory of sin. It is never satisfied staying where it is. It always drags you further and further into darkness, long before you see it's true ugliness.What's our view of sin? Does it make us sick? There's an ever-present danger of minimizing sin and there are many reasons for this. For one, the world around us celebrates it, and it's easy to grow accustomed to it. But also, because we've never seen the full extent of it's depravity. Don't get me wrong, we've seen enough. But, throughout all of history, in countless ways, God always restrains sin from its full expression. Whatever wickedness you have seen (both in your own heart, and in the world around you), is just the tip of the iceberg. Don't underestimate it. And this Psalm helps us not to underestimate it. They sacrificed their own children to demons! Sin is infinitely offensive to God, and it will keep dragging you further and further into it's bottomless pit.So here they are, the ugliness of their hearts on full display. And God can't stand it. He abhors them. He says “Get Out.” Right back into the hand of the nations to be ruled by those who hate them (v.41).Verse 6 opened things up with “Both we and our fathers have sinned” and verse 43 bookends it with his summary:“Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity.”Or as the NIV puts it, “they were bent on rebellion.”This wasn't occasional, nor was it circumstantial. Bent. It's who they are and, if we're honest, it's who we are as well. This isn't just Israel's reality, or a uniquely wicked generation. It's the condition of the human heart. From Adam to us, history rhymes in a dark pattern of sin and rebellion against God.“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23)And it brings us back to our original tension: if blessing belongs to the righteous, how can the psalmist (and how can we) who identify with Israel's wickedness, appeal to God's blessing?Well, Psalm 106 doesn't fully resolve that tension. In a way, it is a true cliff-hanger. The main melody of Psalm 106 is Israel's dark pattern of rebellion and the psalm ends with Israel in exile. But even so, there is a powerful countermelody of God's mercy throughout this psalm, most clearly in verse 44 right after their rock bottom moment.3. God's Countermelody of Mercy“Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry. 45 For their sake he remembered his covenant, and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 46 He caused them to be pitied by all those who held them captive.”Unlike Israel, who forgets God's covenant at every turn, God never forgets his covenant. The great miracle of Psalm 106 is God's unwavering commitment to his people despite their sin. Time after time he preserves Israel when they deserve to be swept away in his righteous judgment. In every example we've walked through, anything short of Israel's utter destruction is an example of God's countermelody of mercy — his covenant love inserting itself between Israel's guilt and the judgement they deserve.But how? On what basis does “nevertheless” get to happen? God is no less just here than he was when he wiped out Korah's rebellion. So what holds the flood back?Our psalm has already alluded to it twice, both times incomplete. Moses stood in the breach — interceding through pleading, but absorbing nothing himself. Phinehas interceded through judgment — dealing with sin decisively, but only for one sin, not to mention that they were destroyed in the process. These examples highlight two halves of the same tension. What we need is someone to do both. Someone who will stand in the breach in our place, and satisfy God's justice on our behalf.The tension of Psalm 106 and it's hints of intercession both point forward in time to Christ's intercession on the cross once and for all. Romans 3:23-26 reminds us plainly: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”Jesus is God's answer to the tension. The Son of God became a man, lived the righteous life we couldn't, and stepped into the breach for us receiving the full judgement for our sins on the cross. He accomplished what Moses and Phinehas pointed to. He satisfied the judgment that our sin demanded, and displayed God's covenant mercy for all who trust in him. He takes the judgement for our sins, and we inherit the blessings of his righteousness. Intercession, completed.This is what makes the psalmist's plea in verse 47 possible.“Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise.”He trusted that God in his mercy and justice would make a way to gather his people for worship and thanksgiving despite their track record. And it's why he can appeal to God's blessing despite his own sinfulness. Every “nevertheless” in Israel's history was borrowed against the cross. Every time God held back the flood, he was holding it back until it could finally, fully fall on his Son, in our place. That was true for Israel, and it's true for us. These are our people, and this is our God!And that brings us to the table.The TableThe table reminds us of where God's mercy and justice meet. No longer in tension, not in some uneasy compromise, but both fully satisfied at the cross.That's what this bread and this cup remind us of. His body, broken for us. His blood poured out for us. Christ took our sins upon himself, and we receive the blessings of His righteousness. We don't come to this table because our track record is any better than Israel's, we come because Christ stood where we should have stood, and declared “It is Finished.”As we celebrate the Lord's table together, this meal is a meal for the members of Cities Church, but if you have trusted in Jesus we invite you to eat with us.If you have not trusted in Jesus, we ask that you let the bread and the cup pass, but let this psalm be your invitation. As Tim Keller notes, you are more sinful than you know, and more loved than you imagine. Trust in Jesus today.

Send us Fan MailFear loves to impersonate reality. It tells you you're stuck, too broken, too tired, too far gone, and it keeps you from the life God is actually inviting you into. We lean hard into 2 Timothy 1:7 and get specific about what replaces fear when the Holy Spirit leads the way: power, love, and self-control, not as motivational phrases, but as a lived, daily practice of discipleship.We also share what we witnessed through ministry connections in Bangkok and beyond, from baptisms to church planting efforts and practical projects that serve communities. Seeing students lead and serve is a needed wake-up call: our kids are not waiting to become the church someday. Their identity is already secured as sons and daughters of the Most High God, and that confidence helps them cross cultural lines and love people well.Then we bring it home. We talk about praying for prodigals, honoring the legacy of generational faith, and refusing to give up when a loved one feels out of reach. We unpack why “fan into flame” is not poetic language, it's survival language for spiritual life, and why Christian community and life groups matter if we want a sound mind and real self-control. We close with a clear invitation to say yes to Jesus and take a next step so no one has to walk alone.If this encouraged you, share it with someone who's fighting fear, subscribe for more, and leave a review to help others find the conversation. What's one area where you need power, love, or self-control right now?Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Send us Fan MailOne wrong turn in the water can feel like the right direction until you run out of breath. That story becomes a mirror for spiritual life as we open 1 Timothy and talk about deception, truth, and the quiet ways we can drift without noticing.We walk through Paul's guidance to Timothy on rejecting myths, clinging to Scripture, and training for godliness in everyday life. You'll hear simple, practical handles for Christian discipleship: listening to God through the Bible and the Holy Spirit, talking with God through honest prayer, and acting on what he asks so we stop “swimming” against the truth. We also lean into Paul's call to set an example, reminding both young and older believers that God's calling is not limited by age and that spiritual gifts are meant to be used, not neglected.Then we zoom out to a foundational question: what is the church? Not a place we visit, but a people we are. That leads into a grounded, sometimes challenging conversation about biblical honor in 1 Timothy 5 and 6: honoring elders, caring for widows, providing for family, valuing faithful leaders, and showing respect in the workplace so the name of God is not dragged down. We close with a direct warning about false teachers and modern noise, plus a timely lesson on contentment, the love of money, and what it means to fight the good fight of faith with consistent spiritual training.If you're hungry for spiritual freedom, clearer discernment, and practical next steps for living like Jesus at home, online, and at work, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the message.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Join host Meg Greer on "God and Our Dogs" as she welcomes Debbie Watson, Communications Director for Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries. Debbie shares heartfelt stories about her rescue dogs—Pixel, Remy, and Charlotte—and the lessons they teach about comfort, persistence, and unconditional love. Discover how these dog stories reflect God’s constant presence, guidance, and non-judgmental love in our lives. Debbie also discusses the importance of community, serving others, and the impact of Hill Country Daily Bread’s programs, including opportunities for volunteering and mentorship. Tune in for inspiration, faith, and practical ways to rely on God, just as our dogs rely on us. Learn more at hillcountrydailybread.org and follow "God and Our Dogs" on Facebook! 00:00 - Introduction & Show Overview 00:42 - Meet Debbie Watson, Guest Introduction 01:36 - Debbie’s Rescue Dogs: Pixel, Remy, and Fostering 03:17 - The Surprise: Remy’s Puppies 04:02 - Keeping Charlotte: A Special Bond 05:27 - Lessons from Dogs: Comfort, Persistence, and God’s Love 07:28 - How God Guides and Comforts Us 09:14 - Staying on the Right Path: Faith and Community 10:55 - The Power of Life Groups and Accountability 12:04 - Serving Others at Hill Country Daily Bread 13:33 - Volunteer Opportunities & Summer Leadership Academy 15:22 - The Impact of Mentorship 16:43 - How to Support or Get Involved 18:11 - Closing Thoughts & Final Reflections 19:57 - Outro: Where to Listen and Connect Host: Meg Grier - Stories@GodAndOurDogs.com Website: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072683640098 God and Our Dogs airs every Saturday at 11:15am on Boerne Radio 103.9FM - www.boerneradio.com. Air Date: 7/25/26 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michigan amended its employment discrimination law and extended “sex” discrimination protections to include women who have had an abortion. Constitutional expert, lawyer, author, pastor, and founder of Liberty Counsel Mat Staver discusses the important topics of the day with co-hosts and guests that impact life, liberty, and family. To stay informed and get involved, visit LC.org.

Absolute Ministries https://AbsoluteMinistries.org/Todd Your gift helps people overcome addiction, find hope and purpose, and experience lasting change through a Christ-centered system of care. Together, we can support sustainable transformation that goes far beyond temporary sobriety. Alan's Soap https://AlansArtisanSoaps.com/Todd The legacy continues for Ian and Alan with Alan's Artisan Soaps “John's Favorites” bundle. Get one bar of each of John's favorites for only $28.99. Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.com Register now for the FREE “Market Blind Spot" live webinar July 23rd at 3:30pm Pacific. Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Your journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/Todd Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com Get the new limited release, The Sisterhood, created to honor the extraordinary women behind the heroes. Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.  LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at: The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple Podcasts The Todd Herman Show | Podcast on Spotify  WATCH and SUBSCRIBE at:  Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTube A Humiliation Ritual: The Senate Race in Maine as Exhibit 1The Deep State NOW Says, Of Course We Hid Election Meddling from Trump - No Biggie // Flock Employee Accidentally Confesses Flock Is Surveillance, Not Safety // Socialists Win By Making Socialism Sound Like Church Life Groups

Send us Fan MailLetters can feel quaint until you realize they once carried hope across oceans and silence across years. We start with a story that makes that real: an elderly woman in her 80s whose arthritis kept her from writing to a friend in Ireland, until healing and persistence gave her back the ability to put pen to paper and reconnect. That “small” act becomes a big reminder that connection and discipleship aren't disposable, even if modern communication is instant.From there, we walk through 1 Timothy 1 with Pastor Angus at Cornerstone and step into Timothy's world in Ephesus, a massive, diverse city crowded with pagan worship, spiritual counterfeits, and competing philosophies. We talk about why the pastoral epistles matter for church health today, how to recognize false teachers, and why endless speculation and argument can quietly replace the mission of Jesus. You'll also hear a memorable warning about choosing teachers wisely and why we have to study Scripture for ourselves so our faith becomes owned, not borrowed.We close with the heart of the message: sound doctrine should produce love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith and no one is too far gone for God's mercy. Paul's transformation proves it, and our testimonies carry that same power when we live changed lives instead of chasing debates. If you're hungry for biblical teaching, Christian discipleship, and a clearer path to spiritual growth, press play, then share this with a friend and leave a review. What part of your story might God be asking you to use?Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Send us Fan MailPanic spreads faster than truth, especially when it comes wrapped in spiritual language. We pick up in 2 Thessalonians and talk about what happens when a church gets rattled by claims that the day of the Lord has already arrived. Barb opens with a relatable picture of Y2K style fear and then drives straight into Paul's warning: don't get quickly shaken, don't get played by rumors, and don't let anxiety shape your choices.From there we zoom out to the bigger challenge for Christians right now: discernment. We unpack how deception can travel through whispers, “someone said,” and even messages that look legitimate, and why testing what we hear against Scripture protects our peace and our intimacy with God. We also talk about vigilance without obsession, including the idea of the Holy Spirit as the restrainer and what it means for the church to “hold the wall” together by praying, standing, and shining light in ordinary places like our homes and workplaces.Gage then brings it home with hope: God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. We dig into what sanctification actually means, why the gospel can't be replaced by good intentions, and why good works are the fruit of salvation, not the price of admission. Dave closes with two practical marching orders from 2 Thessalonians 3: pray and serve, plus a real invitation to volunteer with Mercy House and our back to school outreach.If you want clearer faith in a noisy world, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Send us Fan MailFireworks fade fast, but the questions linger: what does freedom actually require, and what does it cost to keep your faith when the current is moving the other way? We start with something simple and surprisingly powerful, the practice of writing letters, then we open Paul's words in 2 Thessalonians 1 and let them challenge us. When Paul praises a persecuted church for growing faith and increasing love, we hear a message many of us need today: keep going, stand firm, and don't let pressure rewrite your convictions.We talk honestly about what persecution can look like in modern life, not always dramatic, but often personal. Being left out by friends, misunderstood by family, or punished professionally for living by Christian values can wear you down. We anchor the response in Scripture and in a clear call to live with courage and love, while also praying for America with gratitude for the freedom to worship and the responsibility that comes with it.Then we give a practical framework we can all pray: recovery, restoration, repentance, and release. We ask God to restore awe, rebuild what's been broken, turn hearts away from sin, and break chains of addiction, trauma, and strongholds. We close with an invitation to follow Jesus, plus next steps so no one has to walk alone.If this encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs strength, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. What's the one “R” you're asking God for right now?Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

Join us as we walk through the Psalms, exploring how this rich book of Scripture meets us in every valley and hilltop as we experience God's gospel springs for our desert hearts. Dax Gibson Pastor of Life Groups, Newcomers & Outreach Sermon Recorded June 28th, 2026 at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church Birmingham, Alabama

Send us Fan MailFear is loud, persuasive, and weirdly familiar, especially when we're trying to look brave. We start with three words that set the tone for everything that follows: aware, awake, anointed. Then we get honest about the kind of fear that doesn't just make you nervous, but quietly drives your decisions, your relationships, and your view of God. If you grew up with rapture anxiety or end-times teaching that left you bracing for a “gotcha” moment, you'll feel this shift: Jesus doesn't scare you into following him, he draws you close.We walk through 1 Thessalonians 5 and the warning that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. That's not a cue to spiral, it's a call to spiritual readiness. We connect it with Luke 17, Noah, and Lot, and we talk about how distraction, indulgence, and nonstop “peace and security” messaging can lull a culture to sleep. We also name the real-world weight of war and instability, pray for Venezuela, and remind ourselves that even in countries labeled “enemies,” we have brothers and sisters in faith.The practical turn is simple and strong: live as children of light. Stay sober-minded, put on faith and love like armor, and hold the hope of salvation steady in your mind. We close with an invitation to embrace Jesus, a prayer you can pray right now, and clear next steps for your walk with God, including baptism and support for new believers.If this helped you breathe again, share it with a friend who's been living on edge. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what you're choosing to replace fear with this week. What does “aware, awake, anointed” look like in your life today?Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Wisdom is more precious than evertything in the world.Nothing can compare to her.ABOUT HIGHPOINT CHURCHHighPoint Church is an exciting and dynamic church in the West Orlando area (Ocoee, Windermere, Winter Garden, Clermont and MetroWest). Come experience Real Faith and Real Life every Sunday! Service times are 10:00am and 1:00pm (español) in person and Livestream. Life Groups meet throughout the week as well.

Send us Fan MailSome Sundays don't feel like inspiration, they feel like endurance. We start with a simple but challenging truth from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians: trials aren't a glitch in the Christian life, they're part of it. Angie Ortiz shares how sickness, financial pressure, family burdens, and the battle in our minds can either shake our faith or strengthen it, and why God's presence matters more than a painless path. If you've been asking where God is when life gets heavy, you'll hear a steady answer: He's faithful in the middle of it.From there, we dig into 1 Thessalonians 4 and talk sanctification, becoming more like Jesus with real choices in the real world. That includes sexual purity, self-control, and the uncomfortable reality that holiness won't always match the crowd. We also talk about the Holy Spirit's conviction as a gift, guidance that keeps us from drifting into consequences, and brotherly love as the everyday proof that Jesus is changing us.Then Sarina brings a vivid image that lands in the heart: the empty chair. Maybe yours is a person you lost, a relationship that ended, a dream that never came, or a prayer that still feels unanswered. Paul doesn't tell us not to grieve; he tells us not to grieve without hope. Because Jesus died and rose again, the tomb is empty, and that reshapes how we carry sorrow, how we wait, and what we believe about reunion and restoration.We close with a clear invitation to say yes to Jesus and step into a living relationship with God, plus prayer for anyone walking through trials or loss. If this encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find hope that holds.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

Send us Fan MailA real letter used to feel like an event. You waited for it, you opened it carefully, and you could almost feel the person behind the words. We start there with a story about the last generation before phones and what it was like to get a handwritten note that felt unforgettable, then we ask a bigger question: what if the Bible is that kind of letter, only eternal?We trace the idea through the New Testament letters and land in Thessalonica, using Acts 17 to set the scene. Paul and his team bring the gospel into a city that pushes back hard, and a believer named Jason takes heat simply for offering a home. That moment reframes the church as a people who can “turn the world upside down” not through hype, but through conviction, hospitality, and loyalty to King Jesus. From there we open 1 Thessalonians and sit with Paul's gratitude for a community marked by faith, love, and hope, all empowered by the Holy Spirit rather than empty words.We also talk about the kind of leadership that actually forms disciples: bold in conflict, gentle in care, and committed to pleasing God over people. Paul describes nurturing tenderness like a mother and guiding strength like a father, which challenges us to grow up in our faith without becoming harsh or performative. The message ends with a clear invitation to follow Jesus, receive forgiveness through the cross and resurrection, and step into a life shaped by God's presence and God's people.If this encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs courage, subscribe so you don't miss what's next, and leave a review that helps more people find this Bible teaching and discipleship conversation.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

Send us Fan MailGetting lost is one thing. Realizing you are alone, unsure which direction is safe, and too far in to pretend it is fine is something else. Pastor Angus opens with a seventh-grade Boy Scouts story where one wrong turn at a fork turns a hike into panic, and then flips it into a powerful metaphor for Christian life: we can start out walking with Jesus, but if we drift from the group and stop listening, we end up off trail fast.From there, we dig into walking in the Spirit through Galatians 5, including the hard truth that accepting Christ does not instantly erase old habits, triggers, or patterns. We talk about the works of the flesh, why “just don't do it” rarely lasts, and why transformation is more than behavior modification. One of the most helpful moments is unpacking conviction vs condemnation: conviction is Holy Spirit pointing to what He wants to heal, while condemnation tries to shut you down with shame.We also get practical with spiritual growth habits that build a real relationship with Holy Spirit: getting in the Word, praying as a dialogue, learning to listen in the quiet, and what it can mean to pray in the Spirit when you do not even know what to ask. Pastor Angus uses a simple light-switch picture to explain spiritual power: God's power is present, but we still choose whether we live “on” or “off” in everyday pressure.Finally, we clarify baptism in the Holy Spirit as empowerment for witness and daily living, and we hold space for a clear invitation to receive Jesus and step onto a new path with a new destination. If this encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend who feels off trail, and leave a review so more people can find it.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

Send us Fan MailPentecost isn't a church calendar trivia fact, it's a moment that confronts a question most of us live with every day: where does real power come from when life gets messy? We start with Jesus' words in John 14: “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” and we get brutally practical about identity. If your job changes, money shifts, or your “stuff” gets stripped away, your value doesn't drop. Your worth is anchored in being a son or daughter of God, not a title you can lose.Then we lean into the promise Jesus makes about the Holy Spirit. He is not a vibe, not a symbol, not God's sidekick, he is fully God, the Helper and Spirit of truth who dwells with us and in us. We talk about why conviction is different from condemnation, why resisting the Spirit is spiritually dangerous, and why so many of us chase guidance from TikTok, reels, or success metrics instead of letting the Spirit lead our decisions. This is Spirit-led Christianity for Monday morning, not just Sunday.From there we walk straight into Acts 2 and the Pentecost story: the sound of a rushing wind, tongues of fire on every believer, and the church empowered to witness. We explain what we mean by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, why speaking in tongues shows up in the text, and how God's heart is to speak to people in their heart language. We also make space for a clear invitation to respond, both for salvation and for a deeper, Spirit-filled life.If this stirred something in you, listen all the way through, share it with a friend, and leave a review. What would change if you asked for “more of God” today?Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

We all have a deep longing for belonging, but fear or past hurts often keep us from engaging in true community. This week, Pastor Daniel Lee introduces the "Johari Window" framework to show how the Holy Spirit uses faith communities—like Rooted, Life Groups, or Celebrate Recovery—to move us out of hiding and into transformation.By bringing our hidden sins, blind spots, and unknown fears into the open "arena" of supportive relationships, we invite God's healing light. Discover why the phrase "come as you are" is an invitation to bring your authentic self to church so that, step by step, you can become exactly who God created you to be.

Send us Fan MailFreedom gets sold to us as independence, but Scripture paints a sharper picture: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” We sit with 2 Corinthians 3 and ask a practical question that hits home fast: what if the choices we call “freedom” are actually us running ahead into a mess, while the Spirit's presence is the protection we keep leaving behind?We talk through the slow, steady work of transformation, one degree at a time, and why that pace is not a failure, it is God's kindness. We also unpack what the Holy Spirit is like in real life: the promise of the Father, our Helper, our teacher, our advocate, and the Spirit of truth. Along the way, we get honest about how attitude can hijack our day, how exhaustion makes obedience harder, and why learning to be still with God changes more than our schedule, it changes our witness.Then we move into Jesus' words in John 14 about love as commitment and obedience, and why the Spirit guides believers into truth in a way the world cannot understand without Christ. We also make space to respond: prayer for empowerment, a clear invitation to follow Jesus, and a reminder that our identity is rooted in being with God, not performing for Him.If you want a deeper, more grounded Christian life and a clearer understanding of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, and biblical freedom, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review with the part that challenged you most.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

************************************Du möchtest mehr erfahren und dich connecten? Hier haben wir die wichtigsten Links für dich:

Send us Fan MailYou can love Jesus, serve hard, and still feel empty if you never slow down long enough to hear Him. On Mother's Day, we share moving stories from a missions trip to Iceland, where local churches unite, a women's conference opens doors, and several women respond to the gospel. One testimony comes from a 17-year-old who has carried anxiety and depression for years and describes what shifts when she finally makes her own decision to follow Jesus. It's a reminder that faith can't be borrowed, and peace is not just a personality trait, it's a gift from God.Then we get painfully practical about modern life: busyness is always available, and it can quietly crowd out prayer, Bible reading, church community, and the ability to hear God clearly. We build the message on Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God,” and we walk through Luke 10 with Mary and Martha. Martha opens the door for Jesus but gets distracted with serving, while Mary sits at His feet and chooses what cannot be taken away. The question lands close to home: have we invited Jesus in, yet missed Him by staying busy in the other room?We break “being still” into real steps you can practice: it's a choice, it requires intentional action, and it means relinquishing control. We also offer a clear invitation to salvation and practical next steps for anyone who wants to follow Jesus, get a Bible, and find a Bible-believing church. If this encourages you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the message.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

************************************Du möchtest mehr erfahren und dich connecten? Hier haben wir die wichtigsten Links für dich:

Send us Fan MailA broken wall can feel like a broken promise, and that's exactly where Nehemiah's story hits home. We lean into the moment he hears Jerusalem is in trouble and shame, and we ask the same question many of us carry: what do you do when your faith is real but your circumstances look like ruins? We walk through Nehemiah's response step by step: grief that turns into fasting and prayer, repentance that takes ownership, and the quiet strength of serving with excellence even in a hard place. As cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah has influence, but he also has risk and responsibility. Then comes the “big ask” for permission, protection, resources, and materials to rebuild, and we talk about how obedience and alignment with God can lead to favor you could never manufacture. From there, the rebuild gets gritty. The work moves forward while enemies threaten, and the picture becomes unforgettable: building with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other. We connect that to spiritual warfare, perseverance, and the kind of courage that protects families and futures. We also make room for a clear gospel moment, celebrating the freedom and forgiveness found at the cross and the hope we have because Jesus is risen. If you're ready to stop living stuck and start living brave, press play, share this with a friend who needs endurance, and subscribe so you don't miss what's next. After you listen, what “wall” is God asking you to rebuild?Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

In this episode, Jenna shares her journey of coming to Victory Faith and joining a Life Group right away. Over the past few years, she's experienced real growth, meaningful connection, and a life that looks different today. Now leading a group herself, she shares why simply showing up can change more than you expect.

************************************Du möchtest mehr erfahren und dich connecten? Hier haben wir die wichtigsten Links für dich:

Send us Fan MailWhen pressure turns up, most of us don't fail in one dramatic moment, we drift through a hundred small compromises. We wanted to talk about the kind of courage that doesn't drift. We call it moxy: grit, determination, and the willingness to stand for the Lord when standing costs you something. We open in Daniel with four young men taken from Jerusalem into Babylon, renamed, retrained, and expected to become “more Babylonian” than faithful. That's not just ancient history, it's a spiritual pattern we still live in: identity gets rewritten before worship gets redirected. We unpack how fear often ties to the unknown and our need to control outcomes, and why surrendering control to God is not weakness but wisdom. From the first quiet test at the king's table to the public command to bow before a golden idol, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego show what faith under pressure actually looks like. Their words still sting in the best way: God is able to deliver us, but even if he doesn't, we will not bow. Then comes the furnace, the heat, and the surprise that changes the whole story: the fourth man in the fire. We talk about Jesus' presence in suffering, modern idolatry, and how spiritual resilience forms when you choose worship over fear. If you're ready to grow in Christian courage, stand strong in a hostile culture, and trust God in your own “furnace” season, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs moxy, and leave a review with the line that hit you hardest.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

Send us Fan MailSome days call for more than optimism. They call for moxie, the kind of courage that keeps moving when the plan falls apart, the money feels tight, the diagnosis lands, or the future turns foggy. We're chasing a simple but difficult practice: praising the Lord in every circumstance, not as a performance, but as a decision rooted in who God is. We share an honest story from our early days planting a church in France, when leadership changes and financial pressure forced a fork in the road. Do we stay because God called us, or leave because others left? That moment opens a bigger conversation about perspective, “first world problems,” and the very real weight many people carry, then brings it back to a steady refrain: the Lord be praised. From there we dig into Scripture with Moses and Joshua, focusing on identity in God, God's presence, and the repeated promise “I will not leave you or forsake you.” We walk through Joshua's call to be strong and courageous and the battle of Jericho, where worship and obedience become the strategy, not human strength. If you're facing a wall that won't move, you'll hear practical faith for today: stop feeding fear, refuse complaint, follow God's presence, and let worship do its work. If this encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review so more people can find the message. What's one circumstance where you're choosing praise right now?Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

************************************Du möchtest mehr erfahren und dich connecten? Hier haben wir die wichtigsten Links für dich:

Send us Fan MailThe world trains us to blend in, stay quiet, and keep everything under control. We're going after a different kind of courage: moxie as holy grit, the stubborn decision to trust God when fear is shouting and the future feels unknown. Pastor J gets practical about why so many of us feel anxious, why we grip so tightly, and what it really means to “face the fear” without pretending we're fine.We talk identity in Christ in plain language: when your job changes, your bank account swings, your plans collapse, or your past comes back to haunt you, your value doesn't move. The cross reshapes the way we see ourselves and other people, and baptism becomes more than a moment, it becomes a marker that says the old life doesn't get the final word. If you've been carrying shame, unforgiveness, or the need to manage everything, this message is a reset.Then we step into Exodus and follow Moses from a complicated beginning to a devastating failure to a surprising calling at the burning bush. God redeems him, sends him to Pharaoh, and leads His people through plagues, Passover, and straight into the impossible wall of the Red Sea. That's where the theme gets personal: sometimes the only way forward is for God to make a way, and our part is surrender, obedience, and trust.If this helped you, share it with a friend who's trying to hold it all together, subscribe for more messages on faith and courage, and leave a review so more people can find the podcast. What's one area you need to hand back to God today?Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

************************************Du möchtest mehr erfahren und dich connecten? Hier haben wir die wichtigsten Links für dich:

Send us Fan Mail“He is risen” is not a holiday slogan for us, it's the announcement that Jesus is alive and the grave does not get the last word. We start with the core message of Resurrection Sunday and the hard contrast that every other tomb stays full while Christ walks out victorious. If you've been carrying fear, regret, or the feeling that you have to earn your way back to God, we want you to hear this clearly: you can't buy grace, you can't impress God into saving you, and you don't have to stay trapped in yesterday's shame.We move through the Holy Week story, from the crowds shouting “Hosanna” to the cruelty of the cross, and we linger on what Jesus says and does in suffering. Then we gather at the table for communion, remembering his body and blood, and we pray for real needs: physical healing, restored relationships, peace in anxious minds, and protection for anyone battling dark thoughts. This is Christian hope with feet on the ground, trusting God's power while honoring doctors, nurses, and wise care.From Romans 6, we talk about what the resurrection means for daily life: death no longer has dominion, sin does not get to define you, and following Jesus is a lived discipleship, not a one-time moment. We also give a direct invitation to confess Jesus as Lord, believe in his resurrection, and step into salvation, with practical next steps like baptism and community.If this message helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the hope of Jesus Christ. What part of the message hit closest to home for you?Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

As Easter is this weekend, Sean explains that the church's goal isn't crowds but making disciples—passionate followers of Jesus who learn Scripture and obey it—often through intentional, relational, Biblical community groups with accountability and measurable habits like daily time in the Word and prayer. He discusses the need for pastors to have peer community, warns about ego on stage, affirms women's role in discipleship, and emphasizes discipling within marriage and family while equipping all believers to disciple others.00:00 Show Intro and Banter00:44 Song Credits and Spotify Plug01:20 Easter Message Preview02:16 Why Resurrection Matters03:04 Service Times and Invitation04:04 Vacation and Pastor Life05:23 Community Over Pedestals07:13 Easter Crowds vs Disciples07:59 What Discipleship Means09:00 Growing Disciples Who Disciple12:13 Great Commission and Real Goal13:28 Classes Lead to Obedience14:15 Accountability in Life Groups15:48 Life on Life Discipleship17:56 Intentional Community Beyond Meetings20:03 Measuring Spiritual Growth22:25 Women and Discipleship23:46 Discipleship at Home24:52 State of Church Discipleship27:06 Get Involved at River City28:13 Easter Invitation and Closing

As Easter is this weekend, Sean explains that the church's goal isn't crowds but making disciples—passionate followers of Jesus who learn Scripture and obey it—often through intentional, relational, Biblical community groups with accountability and measurable habits like daily time in the Word and prayer. He discusses the need for pastors to have peer community, warns about ego on stage, affirms women's role in discipleship, and emphasizes discipling within marriage and family while equipping all believers to disciple others.00:00 Show Intro and Banter00:44 Song Credits and Spotify Plug01:20 Easter Message Preview02:16 Why Resurrection Matters03:04 Service Times and Invitation04:04 Vacation and Pastor Life05:23 Community Over Pedestals07:13 Easter Crowds vs Disciples07:59 What Discipleship Means09:00 Growing Disciples Who Disciple12:13 Great Commission and Real Goal13:28 Classes Lead to Obedience14:15 Accountability in Life Groups15:48 Life on Life Discipleship17:56 Intentional Community Beyond Meetings20:03 Measuring Spiritual Growth22:25 Women and Discipleship23:46 Discipleship at Home24:52 State of Church Discipleship27:06 Get Involved at River City28:13 Easter Invitation and Closing

************************************Du möchtest mehr erfahren und dich connecten? Hier haben wir die wichtigsten Links für dich:

Send us Fan MailPalm Sunday starts with a word a lot of us sing but don't always understand: Hosanna. We slow down and name it plainly, “save us, we pray,” because that's the heartbeat of real worship and real Christian faith. If you've ever kept Jesus at arm's length because closeness would require honesty, repentance, or change, this conversation is for you. We're drawing a bright line between being a fan of Jesus and being a follower of Jesus, and why distance can feel safe while discipleship costs something.We walk through Matthew 21 and the triumphal entry, from the overlooked “go get the donkey” obedience to the way prophecy points to a humble King. The crowd waves palms and lays down cloaks, and we talk about what surrender looks like in normal life: immediate obedience, forgiving when you would rather delay, giving more than spare change, and offering your testimony even when it makes you feel exposed. Hosanna becomes a daily prayer for deliverance from our own mess, our bad decisions, and the chaos that sin brings.Holy Week is also an invitation, not just a timeline. We point toward Good Friday reflection and Easter Sunday celebration, and we take seriously the question Jerusalem asked: “Who is this?” That question still opens doors for sharing Jesus with friends, family, and coworkers. If you're ready to stop spectating and start following, listen all the way through, then subscribe, share this with someone you're inviting to church, and leave a review that helps more people find the message.Cornerstonehttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/Follow Jesushttps://www.cornerstoneaz.org/follow-...Life Groups https://www.cornerstoneaz.org/life-gr...Giving https://cornerstoneaz.churchcenter.co...Church Center App - Download then add Cornerstone Christian Center in Avondale, AZiOShttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-ch...Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...----Instagram   cornerstoneaz  Facebook  cornerstoneaz.org  Twitter  cornerstoneaz.org

10 on Tuesday is BACK! Join us to discover why Life Groups are so important to Celebration Church and how life-changing they can be! Today's episode features Pastor David Gonzalez, Celebration Church's Life Group Coordinator. Thanks for watching and we'll see you next week :)

“A good curriculum is going to have a scope and sequence that provides an overarching scope of the Scriptures and takes you through the entire story of the Bible.” Katie Greenwood of D6 Family Ministry describes the value of a curriculum for all ages and the tools it can provide for teachers and leaders in a church. Find more about the D6 Curriculum at https://d6family.com/curriculum/. #NAFWB #BetterTogether #Discipleship #SundaySchool #Curriculum

Vision Sunday 2026 celebrates and reports on the state and direction of MillCity Church, reaffirming its mission to Love God, Love People, and Love Life… Together and its vision to be a life-giving church changing history one person at a time. Since launching in 2015, MillCity has experienced sustained growth, reaching record attendance in 2025, baptizing hundreds since inception, expanding to MillCity Oshkosh, strengthening prayer, discipleship, and verse-by-verse biblical teaching, and supporting over 105 missionaries worldwide through faithful generosity. The report highlights measurable fruit—salvations, spiritual growth, strong engagement of children and youth, and financial health—while emphasizing that true success is life change, not numbers alone. Looking ahead to 2026, MillCity senses a clear call to focus on strengthening families, especially young families, through initiatives like ROOTED, expanded LifeGroups, WonderKids Academy, and focused men's and women's ministries, trusting God to continue growing His church as faithful seed is planted and the Holy Spirit brings the harvest.

Today was Life Group Sunday, and Casey Mock our Community Life Director taught us about moving from right belief to right practice—living out the truth that God is El Roi, the God who sees. Scripture shows us that God not only sees us personally, but places us intentionally in the Body of Christ, where every part matters and no one is meant to walk alone. Life Groups are how we live this out: a place to be seen, fully known, and truly loved as we follow Jesus together. 

Teacher: Rob Zimmermann Download Sermon Notes  Watch Episode Give Online: http://westgatechapel.org/give Connect With Us: http://westgatechapel.org/connect Chapters (00:00:04) - There's joy in the house of the Lord(00:04:13) - Waldgate Church Annual Meeting 2019(00:06:04) - Westgate Chapel Men's Breakfast(00:07:57) - Pray for the Team Traveling to Baden, Germany(00:09:58) - Prayers for the Varden Team(00:11:38) - God's Mercy is More Than Anything We Need(00:14:42) - Christ the Lord(00:20:27) - Sing the Song of Ages(00:25:46) - All God's Blessings(00:28:53) - Good Morning, Church Family(00:29:28) - 2018 Annual Meeting(00:32:12) - Jeremiah 17: Blessed is the Man Who Trusts in the(00:35:22) - Grow Deep Roots Into Jesus(00:38:32) - A New Couple Join Our Church(00:39:13) - Married at Westgate: What is it about the church that(00:40:17) - THE ART OF MARRIAGE CLASS(00:42:41) - Life Groups in the Church(00:44:42) - If You Are Looking for a Life Group, Our Church Has Got(00:47:18) - 71% of our adults are actively serving and using their gifts(00:49:59) - Our 5 Year Vision(00:54:01) - Little Faith Church's 5 year Vision(00:55:07) - Pastor Rob's Conviction on the Salvations(00:57:44) - A message for seniors(00:59:36) - Senior Ministry at Kingston, Oakleaf Village(01:03:51) - What excites you most about the ministry?(01:05:16) - Love Your Neighbors Program(01:10:31) - The Westgate Chapel Legacy Team(01:13:21) - 2016: A Year of Growth(01:15:07) - Growth of our financial resources(01:17:37) - Jeremiah 17: A Call to Renew Our Hearts

Every church feels the tension between structure and spontaneity. When we lean too heavily into programs, the organic life of discipleship begins to shrink. When we lean too far into relational ministry without systems, things drift and become unmanageable. Most leaders end up stuck in that constant swing between order and chaos.In this episode, we talk about why that tension exists and why it is not a problem to solve but a balance to steward. Drawing from the Healthy Missional Ecosystem framework, we explore how private missional life, XGroups, LifeGroups, and corporate gatherings are designed to work together as one connected rhythm. Each space carries something essential and when one is neglected, the whole mission suffers.This conversation will help pastors and leaders see why healthy churches are not built by choosing between structure and Spirit but by creating an environment where both can thrive. When the ecosystem is aligned, disciples are formed, mission stays active, and the church grows without losing its soul.