Heart Matters: Anxiety

What’s on your heart these days?
If you’re anything like me, you may suffer from anxiety. While this may not pertain to most people, it pertains to a lot more people than we realize. The National Institute of Health estimates that nearly 20% of Americans suffer from some form of chronic anxiety while more than 30% of Americans have suffered from anxiety sometime in their lives. Whether or not you suffer from anxiety, you certain have experienced fear or worry, which are both cousins of anxiety. What does God have to say about anxiety, fear, or worry? We’ll discuss this personal and taboo topic this Sunday.

Heart Matters: solitude

What’s on your heart these days?
For many people, the arrival of the Fall season brings up different feelings to the surface. After nearly two years of isolation, social distancing, and PPSD (post-pandemic syndrome disorder), we are relearning how to connect with others and get in touch with ourselves. And because so many of us have suppressed, ignored, or denied our emotions and inner needs for so long, a lot of unexpected feelings are beginning to rise to the surface. Join us throughout October as we explore the various “Heart Matters” that often go unchecked.

Faith & Works

What’s the relationship between belief and works? Well, that’s the difference between an active faith and passive belief. We see this everywhere, not just in Christianity. Some might passively believe in social justice and easily talk about it and share it on social media, but how are they actively faithful about it? Some might passively believe in equity, but how are they actively faithful about making it a reality? Faith in God is no different; but if we start by observing our faith in God, it spills over into every other area of our lives.

Open Doors

Perhaps you have heard the expression, “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” But is that always true? If you go looking for that quote in the Bible, you’ll be looking for a long time because you won’t find it in there. But every open door offers new opportunities for the people of God to grow, connect, and love.

Open Spirit

What does it mean to have an “open spirit”? Interestingly, I think it might be easier for some of us to recognize when someone has a “closed spirit.” Having an open spirit is essential in recognizing the constant work that God is doing in and around us. It also allows us to receive the blessings God desires to give; sadly, the blessings of God are readily available for all people, many just don’t have spirits open enough to notice them.

Open Road

The road of life can introduce us to some unexpected people, new experiences, and profound challenges. However, there are many ways many tend to avoid these people, experiences, and challenges along the way. They avoid unexpected people by surrounding themselves with people just like them. They circumvent new experiences because they stay in their little socioeconomic silos. They rarely confront profound challenges because they remain shelters and complacent. But who’s really paying the consequences in the end? When we don’t embrace unexpected people, new experiences, or profound challenges, our worldview remains narrow and we cease to grow.