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Why does it seem so difficult to experience the kind of unity that Jesus prayed for in the garden? His words are still ringing out today… “I pray that they may all be one. “Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me.” John 17:21 GNT. The Church doesn’t need a re…
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“Love God and love people” is a common mantra proclaimed in modern church culture. But when you tell religious people to love God they often don’t get on to loving people. In fact, history has proven that people claim to love God while hurting others. When violent acts against other people are justified under the banner of “loving god” you have rev…
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Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are well-known tenets of the American dream. But they remain a dream for many because humanity’s efforts can never guarantee them. Happiness is a chase. Joy is a choice. This is why God chose to become one of us and rescue all of us. You were the reason Jesus joyfully endured the cross. Only Jesus can mak…
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When one kingdom invades another the result is violence, pain, and death. Eventually, there comes a pseudo calm that is labeled as peace and lasts only as long as the dominant force can control things. But this is never true peace because Peace is a person and His name is Jesus. Advent is the story of a Kingdom invasion. The irony of Advent is that…
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"Advent comes, relentlessly and throughout life, with its words of hope and faith - shepherds and magi, crib and star, Emmanuel and glory - and stirs our hearts to pinnacles of possibility one more time...The real Christmas gift, for which Advent is the process, is learning to hum hope, learning to dance the divine." Joan ChittisterWhere have you a…
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Being thankful isn’t just a response to the good things that happen in life. It’s a reorienting of your mindset so you can gracefully endure the difficult things. Grumbling and complaining are the status quo of our culture and it’s so easy to go with the flow of negativity. But gratitude is a grace that you can tap into regardless of what your circ…
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One of our modern-day prophets, Don Henley, profoundly sang the lyrics, “I think it's about forgiveness." And I think he's right. Jesus was all about forgiveness. His forgiveness was tied to our healing in every way. As followers of Jesus, we must be forgivers. But why is it so hard sometimes? Especially when serious abuse or assault is involved. J…
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Jesus spoke about two builders in a parable where he contrasts two lives: One built on rock and one built on sand. The life built on the solid rock, representing a foundation in Christ, stands firm in the face of life's storms. This life is all about grace and it is built on faith, wisdom, and a loving relationship with the Father. In contrast, the…
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Sarah will be talking to us about the Pearl of Great Price. It is a brief but powerful story that illustrates the idea that the kingdom of Heaven is of such extraordinary value that we should be willing to give up everything to attain it. Like a merchant who sells all he has to acquire a priceless pearl, this parable highlights the immeasurable wor…
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Jesus encouraged us to become “like a child” to understand and enter the very Kingdom of God. We are on a journey to revisit the parables of Jesus across all our age groups in hopes of starting a family discussion around the meaning behind these amazing stories. Jesus’ parable of the ten talents, found in the book of Matthew, emphasizes the importa…
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Jesus encouraged us to become “like a child” to understand and enter the very Kingdom of God. We are on a journey to revisit the parables of Jesus across all our age groups in hopes of starting a family discussion around the meaning behind these amazing stories. In Luke 15:8-10, Jesus tells the parable of the lost coin, illustrating the boundless l…
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Kings are notorious for fighting battles, securing territory, rescuing damsels, and ruling with an iron fist. They command armies of loyal servants willing to give their lives for the king’s agenda. But our King is different. Our King came to serve us. His plan started small and vulnerable. It started with a baby who would grow up to be the great S…
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We’ve all been given free will. The ability to decide what to think and how to act belongs to us. But many times the choices of others can impact us negatively. When events and the actions of others are thrust upon us we can feel helpless and hopeless. Like we have no choice. Like a victim. When tragedy and trauma strike, remembering that you still…
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Stress is killing us. Anxiety and worry are the basic cause of 60% of all human illnesses. The AP recently reported that nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure. Stress has become so commonplace that we shrug it off as a joke and something we just need to manage better. But God wants you to experience freedom from stress. Jesus, no doub…
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We are all constantly telling ourselves stories. Our brain is wired for stories and will often gravitate towards the negative, which can give way to shame. Shame is an unreliable narrative. Shame tells us that there is something inherently wrong with us at our core. Many of us who grew up in the church think that voice telling us how wrong we are i…
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Often we become our own worst enemy. We deal in the language of condemnation that tries to keep us stuck in our past. It feels like a prison of self-sabotage and a cycle of bondage. Jesus came to free you from this dilemma and delusion by destroying the power of sin and paving the way for you to experience true freedom. When you accept the amazing …
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Often, we can’t see the path ahead. The twists and turns prevent us from spying the destination. Our view is limited to the momentary, and choices must be made. On one side, we feel fenced in, claustrophobic, and stuck in the moment. The other view offers an inviting horizon full of opportunities for new adventures. If only we had the necessary veh…
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Here we stand at the closing of a chapter in the story of River Church. We’ve gathered at this location since 2015. Although we called this place home it truly is not our Home. We know that home is where the heart is and our hearts are firmly and comfortably abiding in the Father's love as revealed by Jesus. But it is here, geographically, where we…
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In the symphony of creation, the concept of harmony unveils a mesmerizing metaphor for the triune nature of God. Just as a symphony requires three distinct but intertwined elements – melody, harmony, and rhythm – to produce a beautiful masterpiece, so does the divine Trinity comprise Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in perfect unity. Together, they re…
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The world is currently in a heightened state of anxiety. Most often the response to anxiety is control. When we attempt to control situations or other people we only increase anxiety. The only person we can control (on a good day) is ourselves. This Sunday, Pastor Sarah will be talking to us about the triumphant nature of trust. Choosing to trust i…
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God went all out for us by becoming human. Through Jesus, Love Himself aligned with us in solidarity forever. But Jesus does not expect us to “pay him back” for bringing us into freedom. He’s not interested in sacrifices and offerings. He wants us to live in His Goodness and His only requirement is summed up in the three movements of his Kingdom: D…
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The world says we have to hustle. We have to run to keep up with the pace of others. It’s been called the “rat race” for good reason. But Jesus never intended for us to frantically chase the next piece of cheese. That’s no life for children of God! How do we rest in a world that says success only comes by working longer, trying harder, and hustling…
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Ever been on a winning sports team? Or part of a business that exceeded sales expectations because everyone came together? I know you’ve experienced the listening pleasure of your favorite band hitting every note and lyric in harmonious sync. It feels almost magical when every person is contributing. Working together toward a common goal can be bot…
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Ever had a wobbly cart at the grocery store? How about a car where you have to constantly correct the steering wheel just to keep it straight? Or worse, when you tweak your back and pain shoots down your leg forcing a limp. When something is out of alignment you can feel it! John’s third letter to a friend is one of the smallest in the New Testamen…
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Right after the famous chapter on love, the Apostle Paul wrote these words, “Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT. The word “prophecy” can conjure up images of fortune tellers with crystal balls. Or perhaps be associated with futu…
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Jesus is what God has to say about himself. As we get to know who Jesus is, we develop a relationship with God. Being close to God means communicating with Him. What does that look like? How can we be confident that we know how to hear His voice? Join us this Sunday as Pastor Sarah shares ways that we can grow in our relationship with God and our a…
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How often have you asked the question, “Is that you, God?” Knowing his voice shouldn’t be hard, right? We often have difficulty in discerning that thought in our head or that impression in our gut when we need to know what to do. Knowing God's character is vital to knowing His voice. He will always lead us in the way of Love because that’s who He i…
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Everyone is looking for meaning in life. We strive and hustle to make our way to whatever definition of success we embrace. But achievement void of purpose leaves us empty and disillusioned. Here’s the hard truth—We never arrive. Fulfillment is fleeting because finding purpose is a lifelong journey. So what do you do when you don’t know what to do?…
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“When those who choose to authentically follow Christ embrace the everyday power of the Resurrection and extend love, justice, and peace beyond nationality, political party, religion, etc, the Church will shift from Institution to revolution.” Bernice KingA shift is taking place in the hearts and minds of those who desire to truly follow Jesus. But…
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“Conspiracies occur everywhere in our time. We are seldom shocked to hear of a high-profile personality being implicated. Even those who possess unblemished integrity are not completely innocent. But in the case of Jesus, the conspiracy against Him was the most convoluted of all. He had once inspired those who now conspired against Him. They found …
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Most people would say the pandemic and consequent quarantine were not the best of times. But for the green industry, like plant nurseries and greenhouses, it’s been a boon. One study found that one out of every three people began gardening or caring for indoor plants in 2020 because they were home more. I can testify that my wife, Sarah went from p…
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Ukrainian civilians who had lost their way and driven close to the front lines were viciously attacked by a barrage of Russian bullets striking their car and wounding the driver. A frantic woman emerged from the car and attempted to aid the seemingly lifeless body that had flopped out of the other door. The attack was captured on aerial footage by …
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These last few years, the world has experienced great darkness. The pandemic, wars, political unrest, natural disasters, famine, you name it. And thanks to 24/7 coverage we have a front-row seat to all the chaos. But Jesus doesn’t stay glued to CNN and FOX News. He has a different perspective and as His followers, we should adopt his view and long …
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Imagine this: a pale blue sky, a peaceful meadow, green grass as far as your eye can see, the landscape dotted by happy sheep eating to their full. Now add in a cool breeze and you're set. Can we go there right now?When Jesus spoke to his followers saying, "I am the good shepherd", they probably didn't quite picture that peaceful scene. Shepherds h…
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A gate can serve several functions. It opens and shuts to access a fenced area. It prevents a child from climbing the stairs or a dog from messing up your carpet. Want to fly away for a great vacation? You’ll have to go through the gate. In one of the seven “I AM” statements by Jesus, he reveals himself as the gate. It’s a strange metaphor and His …
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Could it be that your willingness to commit to doing whatever God wants is a key that unlocks all of Heaven's resources?Just like Abraham, when we volunteer by saying, “Here am I” to the call of the Great I AM we will experience an adventure of faith. Likely, it will be something that we never thought we could do, something we never thought we woul…
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Darkness has a feeling and a voice. It feels like being suffocated and speaks the language of hopelessness. Look around our world, darkness is rolling in like a thick fog. We can panic and feel overwhelmed until we recall that Jesus—the light of the world—is in us ready to shine the light of love that pushes the darkness away. In Him, there is no d…
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Bread shows up all over scripture. Manna in the wilderness, the Passover meal, Jesus’ temptation in the desert, the miraculous feeding, and finally directly from the mouth of Jesus when he declared, “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE.” It’s a strange way to announce who you are but it points to a stunning revelation of God. And revealing God is what Jesus cam…
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What is God like? If you were to make a word cloud of his characteristics what would the biggest words be? Biblical authors often reference and quote their favorite parts of Scripture, and the list of God's character traits found in Exodus 34:6-7 is the most repeated and re-quoted text in the Bible. This foundational description of God's attributes…
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What are you chasing? What are you running after? Every day you have a choice to prioritize what you seek first. It’s a fresh opportunity to pursue what matters most. As followers of Jesus, we desire to do what he would do, say what he would say, and even think his thoughts. Fortunately, Jesus took the guesswork out of this for us by issuing a simp…
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Trust is fragile. It can be broken, lost, withheld, and taken advantage of. Even the most secure relationships can see trust evaporate in a moment. Jesus knows all about this as he suffered betrayal and abandonment from his own followers. But he remained faithful because he trusted in His Father’s love. God remains faithful and trustworthy even whe…
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A new year can be a contradiction. A time where hope and helplessness coexist. Making plans and painful memories walk hand in hand. But one thing we can all agree on is that another completed trip around the sun is a reminder that time forges on and offers you a moment-by-moment choice. Will you look back with regret or look forward with resolve? Y…
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Christmas is a time to reflect on the miracle of Emmanuel. That moment when the Word put on flesh to empathize with and cure our terminal condition. There was no other way. God became one of us to rescue all of us. But incarnation is also about you. It’s the process of the embedded Christ in you pushing out the darkness and transforming you to beco…
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Emmanuel means God is with us. Some believe that God is with us to condemn, shame, and punish. Nothing could be further from the truth! Don’t accept any teaching that overemphasizes humanity's sinful condition over the act of God becoming one of us to rescue all of us. A Creator that becomes their creation affirms the value of their creation. We se…
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When defining the culture of our church we must start with the questions, “Who are we and what are we becoming?” We find the answers by what we value and celebrate. At River Church, we highly regard the Next Generation. River Kids is not a babysitting service, it’s church for kids! We take every opportunity to minister the Gospel and love of God. W…
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When defining the culture of our church we must start with the questions, “Who are we and what are we becoming?” We find the answers by what we value and celebrate. At River Church, we highly regard generous and sacrificial living. You can guide the affections of your heart with your time, talent, and treasure. When followers of Jesus steward these…
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