No matter our circumstances, hope is always within reach when we know Jesus Christ. Life can sometimes throw unexpected curveballs, leaving us feeling disoriented and overwhelmed. But, amid it all, Jesus stands as our constant companion, offering hope that transcends every situation.

Isn't life an incredible journey of changing seasons? God's handiwork is all around us, and those changing seasons are like God's way of reminding us about the natural order of things. Just as God directs the rhythm of nature, He's also orchestrating the rhythm of our lives, moving from one season to the next; as one chapter ends, another begins. Embracing the art of introspection and reflection is pivotal during these transitions; without them, we miss witnessing God's provision, protection, and guidance through it all.

What we see affects the condition of our hearts. Our heart is forged by what we encounter. For better or worse, our lives are always expressing what is inside. Yet, very few of us stop long enough to consider where our eyes focus. If we did, we'd notice that our gaze is continuously moving and doesn't stay in any spot for very long.

It's not enough to simply know the Gospel; we're called to be living testaments of it. We're called to become the good news ourselves! Think about it for a moment. The Gospel isn't just a set of doctrines or words on a page. It's a life-altering, heart-transforming force meant to shake us to our core. And when we truly grasp its power, we can't help but be changed by it. We become the embodiment of that radical, all-encompassing love and compassion.

Full transparency: I've never been one to make my bed. As a teenager, my mom's mantra as she would shake her head and close my door was always, "his room, his mess." We won't speak of the college apartments and dorm room experiences. It's as sketchy cleaning-wise as one would expect…

You have a say in who you become. It's very easy to hear a statement like this and begin to list all the things you need to change feverishly. Many items that make the list are attempts to make up for the past or avoid remaining the person that you currently are. Almost all of the selections are some version of behavior modification centered on replacing the bad with the good.

"We love because he first loved us." These eight simple words hold the essence of our faith journey. Our love, our capacity to love, and our ability to love others all begin with God's love for us. Before we could even fathom love, God was loving us. Before we had a chance to earn it, God was pouring out His love upon us. The very source of love, grace, and mercy flows from His heart.

In a world marred by brokenness, pain, and division, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless. We see suffering on the news, in our communities, and sometimes even in our own homes. The weight of it all can be paralyzing. But what if we viewed our lives not as mere spectators to this brokenness, but as active agents of healing?

All it takes is turning on the television to realize we live in a crazy world. We get bombarded with news about the crisis in the Middle East, political unrest, racial disunity, a troubled economy, and many other unsettling tidbits. Discord and disagreement seem to define our days. The talking heads have our heads spinning and reaching for the aspirin or, at the very least, the remote.

Rest often feels like a luxury we can't afford. We push ourselves to the limit, convinced that constant activity is the key to success and fulfillment. But what if we've got it all wrong? What if rest isn't just a pause in our journey, but an essential part of it? Let's consider the idea that rest is a preparation that readies us to return. This concept invites us to see rest not as an interruption of our purpose, but as a vital component in fulfilling it.

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and stretched thin. We often find ourselves juggling countless responsibilities, chasing after goals, and trying to meet the expectations of others. But what if there was a way to find true strength and peace amidst the chaos? The answer lies in a simple yet profound truth: When we arrange our lives around God's priorities and His ways, we are strengthened.

Welcome to this Sabbath Sunday experience. The concept of Sabbath is more than just a day off; it's a holy invitation to stop, rest, and delight in God's presence. In our fast-paced world, the practice of Sabbath offers a counter-cultural rhythm that can reset our priorities and deepen our relationship with Christ. Today, we invite you to join your church family as we step away from the hustle of daily life and enter into a sacred space of rest, reflection, and renewal. 

Living fully and dying empty isn't about grand gestures or momentous achievements. It is about making steady progress each day on the things that truly matter. It is recognizing that you have a unique contribution to make to the world - one that only you can fulfill. Your days are numbered, and with each passing moment, you have an opportunity to plant seeds for tomorrow in the soil of today's decisions.

How do we leverage these heavy things? It starts with our response. Will we let disappointment have the final word, or will we choose to see it as an invitation to deeper intimacy with God? Will we allow our weaknesses to define us, or will we let them be the very places where God's power is displayed? The beautiful thing is, when we bring our honest struggles to God, something shifts. Our circumstances may not change immediately, but we do. We begin to see our difficulties not as obstacles to avoid, but as opportunities for growth and transformation.

In Jesus' time, it was a preservative, a purifier, and a flavor enhancer. When Jesus calls us the "salt of the earth," He is saying we have the power to preserve what is good, purify what is corrupt, and bring out the best in the world around us. But here's the kicker: salt is only effective when it is in contact with what it is meant to season. You can't influence from a distance.

The way to find "your thing" is by first doing "a thing." Start somewhere. Lean in. God is far less concerned about the specifics of what you are doing than He is about your authenticity, availability, and willingness to be used by Him. Think about the things that make your heart come alive. What are your gifts, talents, and passions? How could you use them to advance God's Kingdom rather than just your own agenda? This isn't about adding more to your already busy life. It is about taking what you are already doing and offering it to God, making it available for Him to use.

Leverage isn't about effort or hustle or making things happen through sheer force of will. Leverage is about posture - the posture of being fully present and offering ourselves as living sacrifices, ready and available for whatever God wants to do through us.

When we avail ourselves to serving inside the church, something profound happens. Our imagination awakens to how our actual lived life can be rooted in an others-focused love. Serving stretches us by taking us out of our comfort zones and disrupting our familiar routines, bringing us face-to-face with needs that aren't our own. In the process, God begins teaching us and revealing the depth of His sacrificial, generous character. The more we sacrificially give of ourselves, the more our hearts slowly become shaped into His image of radical love.

When you decide to start serving at Port City, you're not just taking on a volunteer role. You're embarking on a transformative journey - a journey of grace. On this journey, every misstep is simply a learning opportunity in disguise. Think about it. The disciples were the first to walk this journey of grace with Jesus. He chose them not because they were the best and brightest, but for their hunger and willingness to be shaped. They were rough around the edges for sure - fishermen, tax collectors, zealots. But Jesus didn't expect perfection from them. He just expected their wholehearted participation in the process.

We all struggle with making excuses at times, don't we? Excuses for avoiding things that are good for us, like exercising. Or excuses for overlooking important responsibilities like calling a loved one on their birthday. Nowhere do the excuses seem to come more easily than when it comes to serving at church. "I don't really have any talents to offer." "They've got it covered without me." "My schedule is just too crazy right now." These thoughts have likely run through all of our minds at one point or another. And while they seem perfectly reasonable in the moment, they don't hold up under scrutiny.