Riverbend Podcast

We all have days where we fail, fall short, make mistakes - sometimes catastrophic mistakes. How do we recover and find our true identity and rise above our failures?

For those of us who struggle with being overly self-reliant, we learn to gain our true identity going from 'cogito ego sum' to 'en Christo'.

Community Group Pastor Scott Vermillion makes a case for us to take a sabbath rest (not just physical rest although that may be a part of it), and invites us all to consider trying it this summer.

If you want to bully someone, bully them with love : )

What is the difference between confidence and arrogance when you have been blessed? Difference between confidence and cockiness? What does Joseph do when his family doesn't recognize him?

Just like Joseph, push back against the bully of 'If only-ness...' by realizing your higher purpose: God with us, working through us.

Fear of being lied to

Does culture bully us with constant messaging about sex? Is there pressure put on women to conform to sexual norms - to find their identity in their sexual affirmation?

Family systems - we all are products of the homes we are raised in.

What does our faith look like if we are counter-culture in our method – not just our message?

Mother's Day

Jesus is magnificent in his ability to read situations and people and act/influence perfectly.

What was Jesus writing in the dirt? Was it the names of the Pharisee's - as though He knew them well? Was it their mistresses? Was this all a setup? Maybe there was a Pharisee who slept w/ the prostitute, dragged her out just to set a theological trap for Jesus.

In a politically, morally, ethically, and culturally diverse and polarized climate, how do we reconcile and come together the Jesus way? By recognizing our spot in this story and Jesus words to us.

What does this look like in terms of how we private our faith - if it is not about us, but about others?

LUKE 24:28-32 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

What do you think Jesus talked about when he said he was going to explain the scriptures? What happens when you choose to sacrifice?

What do you think Jesus talked about when he said he was going to explain the scriptures? Inverse paradigm explanation. Recalibrating our unrealistic or unmet expectations – from power, ego, success, to serving others – first will be last; where we think a loss is a victory;

Why it is important to do so. Specifically, students.

Be a learning church- be a loving church by practicing the dance moves of pursuing one another and giving to one another. Remember Christ when we gather and pray for one another.