When Life Goes Upside Down

In the conversation for Sunday, April 23, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us that life will go upside down at some time, and when it does Jesus will be there with peace only he can provide.

When Life Goes Upside Down

Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.
So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “ Peace be with you.” And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
John 20:18-22, NASB

• Where is Jesus?
• What is he saying?
• How do I make sense of it?

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15, NLT

Rise Up: Family Easter Gathering 2017

In the conversation for Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, Arianna Perez and Pastor Stuart Nice share with us that through the resurrection of Jesus, we have the power to rise up in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. It's only a prayer away.

You Can't Really Live Without Dying: You Can't Get There From Here, Part 5

In the conversation for Sunday, April 9, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares about the paradox of finding what it is to truly live only if we choose to die to the self.

You Can't Really Live Without Dying

And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:34-37 (NASB)

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Romans 12:10-18 (NLT)

You Can't Experience Love Without Forgiving: You Can't Get There From Here, Part 4

In the conversation for Sunday, April 2, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us that forgiveness flows to those who forgive.

You Can't Experience Love Without Forgiving

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”
Matthew 6:12-15, NASB

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

     Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Suffering for Being a Christian
     Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:8-13, NIV

You Can't Be Great Without Being Least: You Can't Get There From Here, Part 3

In the conversation for Sunday, March 26, 2017, Pastors Stuart Nice and Kim Nowlin share with us that in order to have the greatest kingdom impact we must find the openness to ask revealing questions of ourselves, the humility to walk Jesus' way, and the commitment be a student of how to relation to those around us. 

You Can't Be Great Without Being Least

They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:33-37, NASB

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Don't ever let anyone call you Teacher. Don't let people put you on a pedestal like that. You have only one teacher and all of you are on the same level as brothers and sisters. Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God. And don't address anyone here on earth as 'Father,' for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father. And don't let people maneuver you into taking charge of them. There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ. The greatest among you must be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will really count. 
Matthew 23:8-12, NLT & The Message combo

You Can't Get Better by Making Less of Others: You Can't Get There from Here, Part 2

In the conversation for Sunday, March 19, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us the pitfalls of judging others and what a new path would look like if we follow Jesus' lead.

You Can't Get Better by Making Less of Others

     “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."
     “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."
Matthew 7:1-6, NASB

1. What do we know about judging others?
2. Where is Jesus taking us as his disciples?
3. The practice and prescription of the new path

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

     If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
     Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:8-13, NIV

The Kingdom Way: You Can't Get There from Here, Part l

In the conversation for Sunday, March 12, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us that our goal of living according to God's kingdom cannot be accomplished through natural means. It's by being people of blessing that others are blessed. We can be Jesus to others by being with Jesus ourselves. These are not things we do, rather what we already are in Christ.

The Kingdom Way

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? ... You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:25-26, 30-34, NASB

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Blessed are those who mourn.
They will be comforted.
Blessed are those who are gentle.
They will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for God’s approval.
They will be satisfied.
Blessed are those who show mercy.
They will be treated mercifully.
Blessed are those whose thoughts are pure.
They will see God.
Blessed are those who make peace.
They will be called God’s children.
Matthew 5:3-9, GW

Emptying Yourself of Religion

In the conversation for Sunday, March 5, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us a reflection on the simple gospel with three simple "tests" to evaluate whether or not we are living according to this simple gospel.

Emptying Yourself of Religion

“Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one was a Pharisee, the other was a tax-collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed like this with himself, ‘O God, I do thank you that I am not like the rest of mankind, greedy, dishonest, impure, or even like that tax-collector over there. I fast twice every week; I give away a tenth-part of all my income.’ But the tax-collector stood in a distant corner, scarcely daring to look up to Heaven, and with a gesture of despair, said, ‘God, have mercy on a sinner like me.’ I assure you that he was the man who went home justified in God’s sight, rather than the other one. For everyone who sets himself up as somebody will become a nobody, and the man who makes himself nobody will become somebody.”
Luke 18:10-14, J.B. Phillips New Testament

The Simple Gospel: It's all about grace.

Three Tests

1. Am I judging other people?
2. Am I comparing myself?
3. Have I lost my peace?

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Romans 3:20-24, New Living Translation

The Pursuit of Transformation: Stewarding Your Vocation

In the conversation for Sunday, February 26, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us that our vocation is to share the "Jesus blessing" with others, letting them know that they are seen, loved, and accepted.

Stewarding Your Vocation

     Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
     Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
     Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
     So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
     “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
     The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
     “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Mark 10:46-52, NIV

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Titus 3:3-6, NASB

Let Your Light Shine: Cultivating Your Gifts and Talents

In the conversation for Sunday, February 19, 2017, Pastor Kim Nowlin continues The Pursuit of Transformation series and reminds us of the things that allow us to hide the light of our gifts and talents.

Let Your Light Shine: Cultivating Your Gifts and Talents

Three Things We Allow to Hide Our Light

1. Our brokenness
2. Our circumstances
3. Our fears

Let your light shine....

Sacred Reading

Note: Due to technical difficulties, this week's Sacred Reading was not recorded. Below are the passage and instructions if you choose to practice the Sacred Reading on your own.

     “You are the world’s light—it is impossible to hide a town built on the top of a hill. Men do not light a lamp and put it under a bucket. They put it on a lamp-stand and it gives light for everybody in the house."
     “Let your light shine like that in the sight of men. Let them see the good things you do and praise your Father in Heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16, J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

The Practice of Sacred Reading

Using the guideline below, read the passage once per prompt. Read it slowly and preferably out loud. After each reading, follow the prompt's instruction. Finally, if you would like, write down your reflections and even share them if the opportunity arises.

Read: Read the passage and receive it as God’s message to you.

Reflect: Read the passage again and look for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights to your heart.

Respond: Take the highlighted words and make them a prayer.

Rest: Rest your heart in God’s promises.

The Pursuit of Transformation: The Stewardship of Primary Relationships

In the conversation for Sunday, February 12, 2017, Pastors Stuart Nice and Kim Nowlin share with us the importance of building and maintaining healthy relationships with those closest to us.

The Stewardship of Primary Relationships

1. Stay on the Same Page
   Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.
   Philippians 2:2-3, NASB
2. Make Love a Verb
   Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
   1 Peter 4:8, NASB
3. Take Relational Stewardship to the Next Spiritual Level
   Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. He did this to make the church holy by cleansing it, washing it using water along with spoken words. Then he could present it to himself as a glorious church, without any kind of stain or wrinkle—holy and without faults.
   Ephesians 5:25-27, GW

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 4:29 - 5:2, NIV

The Pursuit of Transformation: The Stewardship of Possessions

In the conversation for Sunday, February 5, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us that possessions, resources, and finances are an issue of the heart as much as it is about being financially responsible.  

The Stewardship of Possessions

Emotions of Resource Health

The Big Takeaways from Jesus

1. There Is an Accounting
   "Everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more." Luke 12:48, NASB
2. Be Generous
   "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Luke 6:38, NASB
3. Keep Your Heart in Eternity
   "Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." Luke 12:15, NASB

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:8, 10-11, NASB

Barney Wiget: Reaching Rahab

In the conversation for Sunday, January 29, 2017, guest speaker, Barney Wiget shares his heart for the lost and hurting in our community by relating it to the story of Rahab in Joshua 2.

Barney reads all of Joshua 2 in his talk. Click here if you want to follow along.

As a segue to his message, Barney shares a song, Different Name, to illustrate the horrible treatment endured by victims of modern-day slavery and sex trafficking. It is not part of the recording, but you can listen to it below. Click here if you want to purchase a copy of it. 

In his talk, Barney refers to a ministry called Freedom House, and specifically two local shelters.

• The Monarch House for Women in San Mateo County
• The Nest House for Girls, 12-17 in Santa Clara County

Lastly, Barney introduces us to his recently published book, The Other End of the Dark: (A Memoir About Divorce, Cancer, and Things God Does Anyway). 

SACRED READING

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading: 
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Through Christ Jesus you have become rich in every way—in speech and knowledge of every kind. Our message about Christ has been verified among you. Therefore, you don’t lack any gift as you wait eagerly for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will continue to give you strength until the end so that no one can accuse you of anything on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God faithfully keeps his promises. He called you to be partners with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:5-9, GW

The Pursuit of Transformation: The Stewardship of Health

In the conversation for Sunday, January 22, 2017, Pastors Stuart Nice and Kim Nowlin share with us how to steward our health, spiritually, mentally, and physically.

The Stewardship of Health

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV)

1. Spiritual Health
   “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better,
   promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.
   1 Timothy 4:8-9, NLT
2. Mental Health
   Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
   Philippians 4:6-7
3. Physical Health
   How we care for ourselves mentally and spiritually affects us physically. We must care for our whole person, not just our individual parts.

SACRED READING

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading:
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

He gives strength to those who grow tired
   and increases the strength of those who are weak.
Even young people grow tired and become weary,
   and young men will stumble and fall.
Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord
   will be renewed.
      They will soar on wings like eagles.
         They will run and won’t become weary.
         They will walk and won’t grow tired.
Isaiah 40:29-31, God’s Word Translation

The Pursuit of Transformation: The Stewardship of Spiritual Formation

In the conversation for Sunday, January 15, 2017, Pastors Stuart Nice and Kim Nowlin share some introductory principles for starting or continuing a life of spiritual formation as a steward of the life given us by God.

The Stewardship Spiritual Formation

1. Don’t Conform, Transform
   Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  
   Romans 12:2, NLT
2. Don’t Be a Hearer Only, Be a Doer
   Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves. If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like.
   James 1:22-24, GW
3. Live in Love
   Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.  
   Ephesians 5:2, NLT

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading: The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

A song by David for going up to worship.

O Lord, my heart is not conceited.
My eyes do not look down on others.
I am not involved in things too big or too difficult for me.
Instead, I have kept my soul calm and quiet.
My soul is content as a weaned child is content in its mother’s arms.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord now and forever.
Psalms 130:8 - 131:3, GW

The Pursuit of Transformation: The Seven Stewardships

In the conversation for Sunday, January 8, 2017, Pastors Stuart Nice and Kim Nowlin share about seven areas of stewardship through which we can pursue life change.

Guard your heart more than anything else,
because the source of your life flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23, GW

The Seven Stewardships

1. Soul/Spirit
2. Finances/Resources
3. Heath
4. Talents/Passions
5. Relationships
6. Time
7. Vocation

Blooms Taxonomy: Aware, Ponder, Value, Act, Prioritize, Own, Export/Teach

SACRED READING

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading: 
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Light exposes the true character of everything because light makes everything easy to see. That’s why it says:
     “Wake up, sleeper!
       Rise from the dead,
       and Christ will shine on you.”
So then, be very careful how you live. Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people. Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days. Ephesians 5:13-16, GW

The Gift of the Discipline of Reflection

In the conversation for Sunday, January 1, 2017, Pastor Stuart Nice shares about the gift of reflection and its benefits for life change, especially when we make it a regular practice while inviting God’s presence and guidance.

“I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”
Philippians 3:13, TLB

Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God.
Ephesians 5:15-17, PHILLIPS

The Examen Prayer
God, thank you. I thank you for always being with me, but especially that you are with me right now.

God, send your Holy Spirit upon me. Let the Holy Spirit enlighten my mind and warm my heart that I may know where and how we have been together this day.

God, let me look at my day. Where have I felt your presence, seen your face, heard your word this day? Where have I ignored you, run from you, or even rejected you this day.

God, let me be grateful and ask forgiveness. I thank you for the times this day we have been together and worked together. I am sorry for the ways I have offended you by what I have done or what I did not do.

God, be close. I ask that you draw me ever closer to you this day and tomorrow. You are the Lord of my life, thank you.

Sacred Reading

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading: 
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Clearly, Christ’s love guides us. We are convinced of the fact that one man has died for all people. Therefore, all people have died. He died for all people so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the man who died and was brought back to life for them.

So from now on we don’t think of anyone from a human point of view. If we did think of Christ from a human point of view, we don’t anymore. Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence. God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships. In other words, God was using Christ to restore his relationship with humanity. He didn’t hold people’s faults against them, and he has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others. Therefore, we are Christ’s representatives, and through us God is calling you. We beg you on behalf of Christ to become reunited with God.
2 Corinthians 5:14-20, GW

Two Things that Hinder Our Spiritual Progress

In the conversation for Sunday, October 23, 2016, Pastors Stuart Nice and Kim Nowlin share that our inward perspective or outward responses can hinder or enhance our spiritual progress. 

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:14-17, NIV

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading: 
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Sacred Reading Text

 Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins. 9 Open your homes to each other and share your food without complaining. 10 God has shown you his grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift he has given you in a way that will best serve each other. 11 If your gift is speaking, your words should be like words from God. If your gift is serving, you should serve with the strength that God gives. Then it is God who will be praised in everything through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:8-11, ERV

Humility: The Gateway to Faith

In the conversation for Sunday, October 16, 2016, Pastors Stuart Nice and Kim Nowlin encourage us from the scriptures that faith is a product of humbling ourselves before God, which opens up the potential to be a blessing to those we interact with regularly. 

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:5-13, NIV

Click here to view the handout, 25 Ways to Practice Humility

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading: 
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Sacred Reading Text

Do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
James 4:6-10, The Message

I Am a Pickle

In the conversation for Sunday, October 9, 2016, Pastor Stuart Nice shares with us the essential task of mastering humility by overcoming pride.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (NASB)
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
     Who, being in very nature God,
     did not consider equality with God
     something to be used to his own advantage;
     rather, he made himself nothing
     by taking the very nature of a servant.  (NIV)
Philippians 2:3-7

Sacred Reading, 00:00–15:00; Conversation, 15:00–52:18

A note about the recording of the Sacred Reading: 
The reader will pause between each of the four readings. The pauses have been left in the recording so that the listener can experience the rhythm of the gathering and even participate in the reading.

Sacred Reading Text

As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly. Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15, GW