Our stuff and the money we buy it with are a part of our everyday lives. We talk about them often. However, when Jesus begins to challenge us on how we manage our resources, we can feel emotionally reluctant. Why is that?
On one hand, we live in one of the wealthiest parts of the world, and yet there’s something about our consumer-driven culture that leaves us unsatisfied. What drives that dissatisfaction? And what if we did listen to what Jesus has to say about it?
What does the bible say about managing resources? How do you actually live a kingdom-first life? Like practically ... what does that really mean? You work hard for your money and contentment ... which grants you the ability to pay for the things you need, buy the stuff you want, and afford the experiences you enjoy. ⛳🚘🎣 But does living a kingdom-first life mean you have to give all that up?
Too much stuff? Let's face it. The ease of hitting "add to cart" is a little too easy Then that package shows up on your front porch and it's exciting. If we're all honest, being home has brought out the shopping bug in all of us to fill the void of missing out. You know deep down that it only gives you a little happiness and then you're looking for the next thing to lift your spirits. What if true contentment came through something else, even something spiritual?
Over the last 15 months, our church has continued to be FOR people, and we’ve positioned ourselves to reach more people into the future. Lowering case counts and an increase in vaccinated individuals make us optimistic about opportunities to gather safely in the near future. So what does that mean for Connexus Church for the rest of 2021 as we reach people with the hope of Jesus? And how can you be a part of it?
They say that all work and no play makes jack a dull boy - could that be more true than you might think? What if play, and rest, was a crucial key to firing on all cylinders in every area of your life?
The pandemic has changed how we experience our work and see our purpose. One recent study shows that one in four employees is seriously considering a job change. While more people are working from home, others are on the front lines. Then there’s the work of home life. You will likely work 90,000 hours in your lifetime, so work is worth thinking about. Work impacts your happiness, your health, and even shapes who you become.
What if your understanding of work is distorted? What if it's not about changing your job, but changing the way you see your life? What if work could be different?
You will likely work 90,000 hours in your lifetime, so work is worth thinking about. Work impacts your happiness, your health, and even shapes who you become. What if your understanding of work is distorted? What if it's not about changing your job, but changing the way you see your life? What if work could be different?
Is Jesus God? What makes Christianity different from any other religion is that God actually entered our world and became human. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son [Jesus Christ] from the Father” (John 1:14). If this is true, isn’t it worth breaking from the busyness of your life to listen to what he has to say, to learn from what he did? Don’t you want to lean into the One who understands what it’s like to be human?
What do we do with the millions of stories held by rational, credible people that defy all logic? Belief in miracles is seen by skeptics as something for the ancient mind - the naive and uninformed - and not for modern, scientific, rational people. But what if miracles are actually probable given the universe in which we live? What if the miracles we read about in the accounts of Jesus’ life on earth really did happen? What would those miracles mean to us in our world today? Jesus’ miracles weren’t an end unto themselves. They relayed messages about God, love, humankind, and life.
Jesus was asked to sum up all of the commandments in the Bible with the single greatest command. His response was: Love God with your whole self. So why does it seem so scandalous to live out the command to love God? Contrary to what you might think, the topic of loving God is one of the most neglected ideas in modern Christianity.
Jesus has never been more popular. Some love him, applauding him as a good teacher, a political revolutionary, or a prophetic voice speaking out against the rich and powerful. Others find him bigoted, old-fashioned, and narrow minded, even as they are forced to admit that his words and teachings are utterly unique. His presence infuses our political discussions and our dinner table debates, making him impossible to ignore.
The resurrection of Jesus after the cross stirred up different responses for those at the tomb - wonder, doubt, sadness, even jubilation. What will your response be this Easter 2021? Jesus’ existence isn’t something you can simply ignore.
The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for you and for me points us to a simple need to respond because it meets you right where you are.
The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for you and for me points us to a simple need to respond because it meets you right where you are.
In our culture, our access to power, influence, and judgment is faster than our access to knowledge and relationship. It’s easy for us to jump on the bandwagon and cancel someone without truly knowing all the facts. As we look to influence people with the platform of our lives, how do we navigate our polarized world? What does it look like to engage a culture that cancels individuals so quickly? How did Jesus respond to someone being cancelled right in front of him?
In our culture, our access to power, influence, and judgment is faster than our access to knowledge and relationship. It’s easy for us to jump on the bandwagon and cancel someone without truly knowing all the facts. As we look to influence people with the platform of our lives, how do we navigate our polarized world? What does it look like to engage a culture that cancels individuals so quickly? How did Jesus respond to someone being cancelled right in front of him?
It seems like our culture is growing increasingly frustrated, contentious, and hostile. Social media is always ready to pounce on its next victim. If you are honest, under the pressure of our world, you’ve privately torn down, gossiped about, ghosted, or blamed someone this year. Culture can tell you it’s okay to hurt someone--even cancel them-- in the name of truth.
Jesus has a radically different view of how you can approach your life. A way of living so freely that it’s worth cancelling your membership in today’s polarized culture.
It’s common for couples who aren’t getting along to start treating one another as opponents. But as Jesus reminds us, a house divided against itself cannot stand. Instead, we can choose to fight for ‘we’ instead of ‘me.’ When we agree to share power and operate as a team, we will be able to live out our marriage from a spirit of unity. Toni talked about three ways people can move past their conflict and bring more peace into their marriage.
Many relationships experience a slow slide into prolonged conflict. The person you once loved becomes the person you now loathe. When you’re in that situation, many people begin to imagine they’d better off with someone else...or anybody else. Surely they’d treat you better. Care about you. Respect you. Be kind to you. True? Not so fast… There is a way to turn the person you now loathe into the person you once again love.
Have you ever fought in your relationships? 😠 Maybe you're in the spot right now in your relationship where you can't help but think "this is not what I signed up for when I said yes." Or if things are great right now, you're probably thinking, "it can't get that bad, can it?" 🥰
Toni Nieuwhof and Carey Nieuwhof share some practical skills and dig into what the Bible has to say as they unpack how to find what you really want for the future of your relationship.
I respectfully disagree. How do you talk to someone you disagree with? Tough question, right? Meaningful conversation has become something that's so hard to grasp in our current culture of social change, where there are so many differing opinions, varied perspectives, and opposing views.
So when it comes down to it, how can you have meaningful conversations with the people you care about - even when you might dare to disagree with them? The Bible actually has a lot to say on this topic and this weekend we're jumping right in as The Hangover series continues with Jeff Brodie.
2020 was a year of extremes. You experienced more ups and downs, adversity and prosperity, suffering and success than usual. We’ve all experienced it differently, but we’ve seen a common theme: there’s something about the ups and downs of life that reveals our hearts and what’s important to us.
Even after the pandemic is over, suffering and success will be a part of life. As we look ahead, how do we find meaning in those moments? They might have more in common than you think.
Are you looking for less distraction in your life? Seriously. Anyone else get stuck in the mindless scroll? 🙋♀️🙋♂️Or maybe a couple of extra episodes on Netflix? Or just a few more emails from work?
We get it. These days are LONG. You're stuck at home. Your kids are asking for the 38th snack of the day. You barely get one meal cleaned up before the next happens. Work is difficult ... it feels like everyone wants everything, now.
So a few minutes to yourself is a good thing, right?
But what if there was something more? A way you could turn the time you have on its head. Instead of making it to the next episode, you were looking forward to the next meaningful moment.
In this message we're unpacking what it would look like to add more meaning to the way you use your time management. Not just for today, but for the long term.
Are you looking to build meaning relationships? Just when you think you've got a handle on things ... everything changes again 🤯 Work friends, best friends, neighbours, family ... they're all relationships we may strive to keep. But just because something has always been, doesn't mean it's something that always will be. So, what do you do?
How do you determine the relationships you should begin to invest in, the relationships to continue to hold on to, and even the relationships you need to move on from?
How do you start building deeper more meaningful relationships in an ever-changing world?