Part 2 of the Growth Choice: face and forsake failures quickly, flee (but not fear) temptation, form an ongoing support group, and follow Christ to the finish line.

After we move through the hurts, hangups, and habits, how do we continue to grow. This week, we looked at the first three steps of the growth choice: making room for a daily time with God, filling our heart and mind with scripture, and focusing on our goal instead of our habit.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy...Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:7,9

This week we look at The Relationship Choice, the choice to forgive. It is only in forgiving that we can open our hearts to the love, acceptance and forgiveness that God offers us.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6
Through the lens of the life of Jacob we review Life's Healing Choices up until now by looking at five phases God can use to transform us.

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8

The fourth of life's healing choices is "I openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust." Pastor Jason examines what it means to be "pure of heart" (Matthew 5:8), recognizing it as not how good we are, but how good God is.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

This week we look at the second healing choice, “Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me change.” We explore God’s path to comfort: see who God really is, see who we really are, and understand how God can transform us.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God." Matthew 5:3

The Reality Choice includes admitting we need help, asking God for help, and accepting help from others.

God heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3). We kick-off our series on life’s healing choices by taking a look at how Jesus heals lives.

From the shepherds, we learn that everyone is important to God, God has good news to which a response is required, and we have the opportunity to do something with that good news.

The path to knowing God is made simple in the gift of Jesus Christ.

The path to knowing God is made simple in the gift of Jesus Christ.

Like a good sports team, a church can be effective if they get down on the field, get in the right position, and...PLAY!

Money seems to bring everything down to the real-world level. "Being church" isn't about giving our money to the church. It is about employing God's resources to work together with God in accomplishing the mission God has entrusted us with.

We begin exploring what it means to “be church” by discussing how we use our time for prayer and connection.

Fear is a gift from God we can use for our own safety. However, it sometimes spins out of control, keeping us from engaging the great adventure of God's purpose for our life. In this message, Pastor Jason talks about God's call to Moses, the questions and objections that Moses raised, and God's responses.

Sure, God is big enough. But what if I am the one that has screwed up...big time. Will God still love or even accept me?

Sometimes, we shrink God by imagining a God of vengeance and wrath, or by insisting that it is our performance that makes us acceptable to God.

There is no mistake big enough to separate us from God's love!

This Sunday, we experienced together the "big wisdom" of God, summed up in the Hebrew shema and later expanded by Jesus in the great commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself."

Is it possible that such wisdom is still applicable in the 21st century? Aren't we just supposed to think for ourselves? This morning we explore the possibility that God’s wisdom is bigger than our confusion.

"There was a man who lived in Uz whose name was Job..."

We can say God is big enough, but when we are in the midst of suffering, it is sometimes hard to believe. Today we look at the story of Job, one who encountered incredible suffering in his life.

Disappointed with life, disappointed with God, he shook his fist toward heaven and asked "Why?!" And he never received an answer. What he received was an audience with God and blessing through his suffering.

We learn from Job that our suffering matters, that WE matter to God enough that God will (and has!) come down to meet us where we are.

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