Hate to Wait!
August 21, 2020 • Laura Busse
Especially when I’m looking forward to something… like my flight leaving on time. But it’s often while we’re waiting that God gets our attention and gives us our next assignment. This week, let’s play a quick game of Uno as we learn four faith strategies to help us while we’re waiting.
Our Walks of Shame
July 31, 2020 • Laura Busse
What is it about shame and regret that has such a powerful hold on us? If you’re like me, there are some things that are very, very hard to let go of. But letting go is exactly what Jesus wants us to do. He cares more about who we are becoming than where we’ve been. So this week, let’s do the walk of shame together, let ourselves off the mat, and allow ourselves to accept his forgiveness. Here are this week’s 3 Circle Questions to reflect on alone with Jesus and with a few trusted friends this week. 1. Drop the Rock of Shame – Can you think of a “Walk of Shame” your feet have traveled? Where were you? What did you do? Who saw you? In Psalm 34:5 God promises, “Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Imagine yourself looking into Jesus’ eyes. What would He say in grace to you? What truth would He also share? 2. Drop the Rock of Regret – God cares more about who you’re becoming than where you’ve been. How does God use our mistakes to make us more like Jesus? What area of your life is He working on right now? 3. Drop the Rock of Un-forgiveness - When you confess your sins to God, He remembers them no more. Why is it so hard for us to forgive and forget when we hurt ourselves or we’re hurt by others? You are forgiven to forgive. How can you take a step of forgiveness this week?
Ignore the Lies and Labels
July 24, 2020 • Laura Busse
When was the last time you stood face to face with someone who told you you’re not enough? Not smart enough. Not pretty enough. Not skinny enough. Not rich enough. It hurts right? This week in our Face to Face series, we look at the Samaritan woman at the well and see how she may have been misjudged - both by the women at the time and by ourselves, as modern day readers. But despite that judgement, Jesus looked past her labels, allowing her to walk with confidence into the plans God had for her. God wants you to do the same!
Love Notes From Your Liquor Cabinet
July 17, 2020 • Laura Busse
Did you know that Jesus’ first miracle in the Bible was to turn water into wine? A lot of wine. Some scholars estimate it to have been 180-200 gallons. Maybe Jesus was trying to show us that he could be just an average guy when He wanted to… I read the other day that when COVID -19 started shutting down the US in March 2020, alcohol sales increased by 55%. Sales of it online went up 243%. So…even if you don’t have a relationship with alcohol, I bet someone you care about does. I certainly do. And at times it’s been a little too close for comfort. This week, I sit down and exchange a few words of affection with a few bottles of booze. See if you can relate..
Face to Face
July 10, 2020 • Laura Busse
Today, we start a series I’m calling Face to Face. It’s about what happens when ordinary people, like you and me, stand face to face with Jesus. We’ll be looking at people in the book of John, but what happened to them can just as easily happen to us when we “look Jesus in the eyes.” It’s a face to face encounter that will change our lives forever!
The "Ah-ha!" Moments That Change Our Lives
June 26, 2020 • Laura Busse
When you walk close to Jesus, you can expect that God will give you new insights and a few “Ah-ha!” moments. It’s in these moments when you see Jesus more clearly or hear God’s still-small voice. It can ignite an unstoppable faith and change your life. God is searching the earth looking for people like you & me who want to see Jesus more clearly and hear His voice. Key question – When God is searching, will YOU be found by Him?
How to Know Where We Should Go
June 5, 2020
This week, I get to talk with Mary Carol Kolbenschlag, Co-founder of Discover Pathwaze, about how we can best figure out our direction amidst life’s many challenges and distractions. Discover Pathwaze has worked with hundreds of young adults to filter through the confusion, stress, and uncertainty of their college application and career process. Mary Carol shares her insight and wisdom, giving us THREE KEYS to discovering the best paths for us, and the young adults in our lives. This is so helpful, no matter where you are in your journey. Join us, along with one loud airplane, a couple big bugs, and a barking dog, for this powerful conversation in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. 3 Circle Questions Here are three questions you can reflect on and discuss with a circle of friends or family. 1. What are strengths you feel God has given you? How are you currently using these strengths in your life? 2. Who is someone you look to be your guide and help you discover the plans God has for you? Are you helping to guide anyone else? 3. Prayer Challenge – Ask God to lead you down the next path He has for you. Like Abraham, take the next step of faith and GO! Pray for young adults you love and ask God to help you be their guide.
This is How We Fight Our Battles
May 28, 2020 • Laura Busse
What battles are you fighting right now? Where in your life do you need to see victory? How can you be best equipped to fight the good fight of faith every day? This week, we learn how each piece of the ARMOR OF GOD protects us in our fight. And let’s face it, we are fighting spiritual battles, big and small, every day. We can sure use the help.
The “unknowns” and “unseens” test our faith. Especially now. Watch this week’s video to see how the
May 22, 2020 • Laura Busse
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him. – 1Corinthians 2:9 During the past two months of COVID-19, what have your eyes NOT seen that you wish you could have seen? Maybe you miss seeing a paycheck being deposited into your checking account. Maybe you missed a graduation ceremony or your favorite team taking the field. For me, I missed seeing my daughter in Nevada over Spring Break and my mom and step-dad last month in Arizona. All my trips have been canceled. All my summer plans are still unknown. I sure yours are too. So much is still unknown, right? We don’t know when churches will gather again on weekends or sports teams will begin to practice. We don’t know when schools will open or when we’ll ever be able to plan a vacation. It’s now, in a time with so many unknowns, that I share our final Holy Habit – WALKING AND TALKING WITH GOD. This week’s message challenges you to WALK AND TALK WITH GOD this week. You’ll learn how to start, what to say, and laugh with God along the way. Here are three conversational starters to spur you on as you WALK AND TALK WITH GOD. 1. God, my eye can’t see the future but I can see my blessings today. Here are the things I am most thankful for… 2. God, I want to hear Your voice and know the plans You have for me. I do love you. What is the next step of faith You have for me? 3. God, only You know how long this current crisis will last, while I wait how can I learn to love you more?
Lessons From Your Dirty Laundry
May 15, 2020 • Laura Busse
I hope you’re all hanging in there. By my count, this is Week 8 of the “COVID 19 Shut Down.” For 8 weeks now, you’ve been in cooped-up in close quarters with the same people. There’s no escape. We’re able to pick our friends but when it comes to FAMILY and this quarantine…we’re stuck with them. This week’s Holy Habit is vital to your survival: FORGIVENESS. Take a tour with me through some of my dirty laundry, minus the smell, and I’ll teach you 5 Steps I’ve found to be essential for my forgiving others, and myself.