Listen along to this timely and challenging message from the life of the OT prophet Daniel who was an exile in ancient Babylon. This message includes a personal challenge by Pastor John relating to clams, jellyfish and dolphins. Check it out!
"Encouragements for Exiles" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty brings this timely challenge for how we can live and thrive even when experiencing seasons of exile. When we don't feel 'at home' with our culture, environment, workplace or even a relationship, the words of Jeremiah 29:4-8 are an important perspective to remember as we let God be God and we simple trust Him.
Jeremiah 29:4-8 New International Version (NIV)
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
"Salt People" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty shares the prophetic impetus behind the name "CitySalt" and how that Matthew 5:13 is a timely reminder of how we can relate to a post-Christian culture.
"Eternity In Their Hearts" by John Rice
Listen along to this timely and encouraging message by Pastor John Rice from Ecclesiastes 3:1.
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. - Ecclesiastes 3:11
"Covenant vs Contract" by Calvin and Julie Tadema
Listen along to our special guests as they inspire and challenge us in the way we think about biblical marriage. In this teaching Calvin and Julie draw from the scriptures to help us see God's design for a covenant love relationship. This message is a preview of more that will be discussed at our upcoming Marriage Rx Workshop January 21-23, 2016.
A contract is more like a promise of performance that secures personal benefit and limits liability and responsibility. A covenant is more like a promise of love that secures a relationship that actually assumes unlimited liability and responsibility. This covenant relationship is easily seen in God's heart toward mankind, the Church as the Bride of Christ and the way we are designed to walk together in relationship.
"Forgiveness" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty shares this challenging, yet encouraging message about one of the fundamentals of our Christian faith.
"Simply Available" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty shares this second message in a Christmas series entitled, HUSH: Celebrating Quiet Expressions of Faith. This message centers around the story of Mary in Luke chapter one where she encounters an angel with some big news, but make herself available for an uncomfortable future of service to God.
The message closes with a time of reflection and prayer around the song, "It Is Well" featuring Kristene DiMarco and Bethel Music.
"Involuntary Silence" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty initiates a new Christmas series titled, HUSH: Celebrating Quiet Expressions of Faith. This first message in the series centers around the story of the priest Zachariah in Luke chapter one.
"Sacred Space -The Word" by John Rice
Listen along to Pastor John Rice as he brings an inspirational message that challenges us to make a sacred place in our life for God's Word to speak to us.
"Worship and Sacred Space" by Randi Nelson
Listen along as Randi continues a discussion around the little foxes that can damage the vineyards of our lives. This message challenges us to look at the little things that can get in the way of creating sacred space for the purpose of worship to God.
"Celebrating The Sacred Among the Secular" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along to Pastor Dusty as he shares a very personal exhortation with regard to finding divine moments among the seemingly common experiences in our lives. So often we can compartmentalize our sacred and secular experiences, yet Jesus is the sacred that came right to
the center of the secular. He is the embodiment of divinity that is wrapped in humanity that we can identify with. Our worship is less about religious form and more about consecration -- making room for more of His presence.
"Little Foxes - Finances" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty continues a short series entitled, "Six Little Foxes that Can Ruin Your Vineyard." This series is based on Song of Solomon 2:15 and this third message focuses on the vineyard of our Finances. Dusty is joined by Randi Nelson as they draw attention to seemingly small and insignificant 'little foxes' that can steal fruit, kill productivity and destroy our future with regard to a life-long stewardship of our finances.
"Litttle Foxes - MARRIAGE" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty continues a short series entitled, "Six Little Foxes that Can Ruin Your Vineyard." This series is based on Song of Solomon 2:15 and this second message focuses on the vineyard of our Marriage. He draws attention to seemingly small and insignificant 'little foxes' that can steal fruit, kill productivity and destroy our future with regard to a life-long relationship.
"Little Foxes - Ministry" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty begins a short series entitled, "Six Little Foxes that Can Ruin Your Vineyard." This series is based on Song of Solomon 2:15 and this first message focuses on the vineyard of our ministry. He draws attention to seemingly small and insignificant 'little foxes' that can steal fruit, kill productivity and destroy our future with regard to life-long kingdom service to the Lord.
JONAH 6.0 | Unpredictable Plants
Listen along as Pastor Dusty brings this final message from the current series: JONAH | Celebrating Life Interrupted. He focuses on Jonah 4:1-11 where Jonah wrestles with grace, mercy and discipline of God in a teachable moment around an unpredictable shade tree.
The service closes with the the song "Blessed by the Name of the Lord" by Madison Kettwig.
JONAH 5.0 | Sackcloth & Ashes
Listen along as Pastor Dusty brings another timely challenge and encouraging word from the current series in the book of Jonah -- Celebrating Life Interrupted. In this message he talks about outward expressions of inward change that represent repentance. He looks at the text in Jonah 3:1-10 as the King of Nineveh proclaimed a fast, put on sackcloth and sat in ashes to repent and seek the mercy of God.
JONAH 4.0 - Swallowed by Grace
Listen along as Pastor Dusty brings another timely challenge and encouraging word from the current series in the book of Jonah. In this message he talks about how Jonah was swallowed by a fish named "Grace" when he seemed to be at an all time low.
"JONAH 3.0 - Distracted and Disconnected" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty brings a timely challenge and encouraging word from the book of Jonah. In this message he talks about how, like Jonah, we can become distracted by identity (our various perceived roles and titles) and become disconnected from destiny (God's plans and unique assignments for our lives).
"JONAH 2.0 - Opportunities To Grow" by Randi Nelson
Ever have your life interrupted with something unpleasant? These unpleasant experiences are often opportunities for growth. Listen as Randi discusses the interruption in Jonah’s life and how the Lord involves himself in the growing process to help Jonah come to greater health in his emotions and worldview.
"JONAH 1.0 - Running from God" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty begins a new series as a continuation of an annual theme of purposeful celebration and pursuit of God's will and God's way. The series is titled, JONAH | Celebrating Life Interrupted. This first message in the series is anchored in Jonah 1:1-3.
“Jonah 1:1-3 (MSG)
1-2 One day long ago, God’s Word came to Jonah, Amittai’s (ammitay’s) son: “Up on your feet and on your way to the big city of Nineveh! Preach to them. They’re in a bad way and I can’t ignore it any longer.”
3 But Jonah got up and went the other direction to Tarshish, running away from God. He went down to the port of Joppa (Yapho) and found a ship headed for Tarshish (Tarashiysh). He paid the fare and went on board, joining those going to Tarshish—as far away from God as he could get.”