The Discipline of Reflection

May 2, 2010 PM
David Dawson

Audio / Notes

We all have a high capacity for self deception. It is not easy for us to admit or even to notice our sinful tendencies. The discipline of reflection acts as an invitation for God to search our hearts and give us the grace of self knowledge. It is important for us to build this discipline into our lives, but it is especially important to do so as we plan to celebrate Communion.

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What God Wants From Us All

May 2, 2010 AM
Dave Marttunen

Audio / Questions / Leaders



Asking the question, “What God Wants From All Of Us?” tends to lead us to think about obligation, duty, or requirement in the same way that asking, “What does our spouse expect”, or “What does the boss want?” leads us to consider our responsibilities. However, God starts with us in a different place. God does not create a covenant relationship with us that requires responsibility on our part so that he can find a way to be good to us. Instead, God enters a relationship with us in which he overwhelms us with the evidence of his commitment and the scandalizing demonstration of his love (see the cross), that not only wins us into relationship with him, but also supplies the means of the transformation that is best for us. In summary, God supplies everything we need so that we can find increasing satisfaction as we choose to live for His glory.

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Is God Green

April 25, 2010 PM
David Dawson
Audio

With the marking of earth day this past week, the topic of the environment is fresh on our minds. As Christians, we have sometimes been slow to embrace environmental concern. How important is ecology to God? As Christians should we be exclusively concerned with matters of the soul or should we also care about the planet as well?

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Find Healing For Your Hidden Wounds

April 25, 2010 AM
Easter Changes Everything #4
Dave Marttunen

Audio / Questions / Leaders


Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could stop the pain of your inner wounds? Imagine being freed from the wounds of rejection, the pain of abandonment, or the horror of abuse. Many people dream of this kind of freedom, but have settled for less. All around us people in our city drink to forget, take street drugs to feel numb or self medicate through any number of actions or substances because real feelings are overwhelming. Our city landscape is littered with the results of broken hearts, broken homes, and broken dreams. A smiling face can cover a broken heart. What God offers to all of us is healing for these inner wounds. God can give us freedom from inner pain. Today, Pastor Marttunen will conclude his four part series with a message titled "Find Healing for Your Inner Wounds."

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Find Your Life Adventure

April 18, 2010 AM
Easter Changes Everything #3
David Dawson

Audio / Questions / Leaders


We all want a life adventure. We want our lives to be challenging and to make a difference, but so often we settle for a life of comfort. Christianity, as Jesus intended it, is more about adventure than safety, more about mission than self improvement, more about sacrifice than comfort. Are you willing to let God take you out of your comfort zone and into the unknown? Will you answer the call and lose your life for Christ and the gospel?

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God Knows

April 11, 2010 PM
David Dawson

Audio

The other day, as I was laying my cares before the Lord in prayer, I was struck with the comforting and awe inspiring thought that God has no trouble sorting out all the details. Though I may worry about things and feel that I do not have a grasp on everything that happens, God is capable of comprehending every detail of his creation. The unlimited power of God's knowledge is great comfort for us his children.

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Find Purpose in Life

April 11, 2010 AM
Easter Changes Everything #2
Dave Marttunen

Audio / Questions / Leaders


Life coaches are fond of truisms. Among my favourites is this beauty; “If you don’t have a plan A for your life; everybody else has a plan B.” Steven Covey of the now famous series, Seven Habits, made the phrase “live with the end in mind” even more celebrated. All these patterns, foci and stratagems are good, but what if we aren’t so inclined? And if we are so inclined, are these truisms enough? Are they the whole of life or descriptive of only one part or chunk of life? What about all of us who are not driven? Are we who live without a big goal missing the mark, losing out, and living less? Must purpose in life equate to a contest or a goal post? Is it possible to please God and not have a strategy for the pieces of my life that looks like a life map? Does purpose in life equal a clearly defined strategy or something deeper, sweeter, less hectic and more satisfying? Today, Pastor Marttunen is leading us to study the topic: Find Purpose in Life.

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Easter Changes Everything

April 4, 2010 AM
Easter Changes Everything #1
Dave Marttunen

Audio / Questions


Easter changes everything. Watch the disciples. The transition is spectacular, sudden and indisputable. This little band went from quaking in a hidden room to transforming their world. Whatever happened to them in these hours after the death of Jesus transformed their lives and their world. These followers invested in life, community and culture that left a lasting legacy for good. The history books are clear; this group became part of a quiet, determined, and progressive revolution that left its positive mark on everything. Orphans were rescued, the dead buried, and hospitals, libraries and schools were built. This little group infiltrated every level of society with a message that changed people from the inside out resulting in transformation for the good of society, culture and community. Today, we gather to celebrate the one act that changes everything. Jesus is risen.

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