Last weekend we were reminded that for America it is freedom. For you it might be peace, for someone else joy, still, others might describe it as happiness. Whatever we may call it, we are all after something, some "highest good" - and we all have faith in something to get us there.
This Sunday morning at Storyline's Gathering Mike Gathright looked at how Jesus turned the world upside down by introducing a new way of experiencing our highest good...and the religious establishment hated him for it.
GOING THE DISTANCE
We've all heard it before and we can't be reminded of it enough - freedom isn't free. The fourth of July weekend is always a fun time with friends and family to relax and enjoy the summer weather as well as time to reflect on what freedom is.
This Sunday at Storyline's Gathering Mike Gathright explored God's view of freedom and how we might experience and enjoy it.
FATHER'S DAY
For all of the attention mothers get (and deservedly so!), being a dad is tough and important too! We may not think about it as much but there is a lot to learn about life from fatherhood.
This Sunday morning at Storyline's Gathering Cliff Reppart will reflect on how becoming and being a father has changed him in every way and how it has impacted his life of faith.
BEAUTY WILL SAVE THE WORLD
There are many things changing very quickly about modern life, but there may be nothing more disturbing than the credibility crisis. We live in a time of fake news and alternative facts - it is confusing and so frustrating. Common questions, like, 'who is telling the truth?' are becoming much deeper - What is truth? Does it even exist?
This Sunday morning at Storyline's Gathering, Mike Gathright looked at how Jesus faced this same dilemma and then changed the world forever with his response.
GRADUATING FROM GRIT TO GRACE
It is that time of year when we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of graduating students. It is a good and right thing to do.
But, how much of what we achieve is about us? How much of it isn't? This Sunday morning at Storyline's Gathering Mike Gathright looked at these questions and considered the place of grace, gratitude and faith in what we accomplish in life - and what we attempt
A THING CALLED LOVE
Love is a multi-trillion dollar industry. We make movies, sing songs, write books, and fight wars all in the name of Love. But why? What is it about this
ancient
dramatic
beautiful
mysterious
outlandish
overwhelming
unreachable
indefinable
undeniable
indescribable
uncomparable
blood-boiling
heart-pounding
word that causes so much joy, pain, excitement, and fear all in the same moment. Why is love all that great? and why does it hurt so much...?
This week at the Gathering, Paul Knapp explored what it is about love that forces us to keep searching for it.
THE PRIEST AND THE PROSTITUTE
Come on....they deserve more than one day don't they!? Moms. What would the world be like without them? A mother's love protects, provides, sustains and guides us. There is nothing they won't do for us. They believe in us. They love us.
Sunday morning at Storyline's Gathering Mike Gathright considered the power and beauty of a mother's love, where it comes from and what it is for.
SAINT'S AMONG US
Every part of life has ways to celebrate and honor their high achievers; the All-Star Game, the Oscars, Mother's Day, The Dean's List, on and on it goes. Even the church does this - declaring a select few spiritual giants as "Saints." There is nothing wrong with this, yet, especially when it comes to sainthood - it leaves the rest of us...where?
Sunday morning at the Gathering, Mike Gathright considered what a saint looks like and we heard from several people about the saints in their lives.
EASTER: THE PROBLEM WITH PERFECT
Can we be honest for a second...about Easter? It is hard to believe; very difficult to believe it is true. But, have you ever thought about it this way? If it's true but doesn't matter, it doesn't matter if it's true.
Sunday at Storyline's Gathering Mike Gathright considered some of the reasons Easter matters, and how (if it's true), it could change everything.
THE NATURE OF BELONGING
Most of us think that the Bible and science disagree on absolutely everything. But this Sunday at Storyline's Gathering, Megan Hines considered one critical area of life on which they absolutely agree!
REINVENTED...YOU
So, Religion has been reinvented and you may be left wondering... OK... What's next? What does it mean for me? How do I "buy in?" Where do I go from here? It seemed a whole lot easier to find the answers before all of this...
Paul Knapp agrees. This week at the Gathering he explored what a reinvented religion could practically look like for all of us going forward.
REINVENTING RELIGION (Conclusion)
Spring has sprung and with it...what? This time of year is supposed to be a time of renewal, rebirth - new beginnings. Sometimes we all struggle to believe that, but Jesus clearly did. He invaded our world with a sense of purpose and passion and has invited us all to join him.
This Sunday at Storyline's Gathering Mike Gathright took a deeper look at this purpose and passion and how we might make it our own.
THE RHYTHM OF GRACE (Reinventing Religion - Part 4)
In the 1980s Pepsi and Prego pursued two different paths trying to dominate their market. Pepsi lost market share and Prego became the king of spaghetti sauce! How?
This Sunday morning Mike Gathright compared the way of Jesus to spaghetti sauce and soda.
THE EYE (Reinventing Religion - Part 3)
Mike Gathright continue's to wonder about what a reinvented religion might look like.
OPTION C (Reinventing Religion - Part 2)
We are constantly updating software, improving technology, refining medicine...innovating, adapting and developing almost every aspect of life. Why not religion? GASP! Both fans and detractors assume that is impossible. But Jesus didn't!
How do you reinvent something? Maybe, take the best of the original intention and try to update it for the realities of today? This Sunday at Storyline's Gathering Mike Gathright is going to continue our exploration of reinventing religion drawing on the example of the ultimate REinventor - Jesus.