Battling Depression with Scripture and Prayer: A Pastor’s Heartfelt Encouragement
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 21st, 2025
First, let me acknowledge something that is crucial: depression is real. It is not just a matter of “feeling sad” or a temporary mood shift. It is an illness that can affect every part of your life—your emotions, your mind, your relationships, and your sense of purpose.   Read More
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Perfected in Christ — Not Perfect Yet
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 17th, 2025
One of the quiet struggles I often hear from fellow believers is this: “Why do I still mess up if I truly belong to Christ?” It's a question born out of sincere hearts that long to live rightly, to honor God, and to walk in holiness. And maybe you’ve asked it too.The root of that struggle lies in misunderstanding what it means to be perfected in Christ versus being perfect or sinless in our daily ...  Read More
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The Dangers of Deconstructing Christianity as a Christ Follower
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 16th, 2025
Deconstruction has become a buzzword in Christian circles. For some, it starts with honest questions. But for many, it ends with abandoning biblical truth.Let me say this clearly: You can wrestle with your faith without rejecting it. You can have questions without tearing down the foundation God laid in His Word. But what we’re seeing today isn’t healthy doubt—it’s a full-blown demolition project,...  Read More
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Why Is It Only Offensive When You Talk About Jesus?
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 15th, 2025
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world...the world hates you.  Read More
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Our Love for Jesus Should Look Like Hate to Others
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 13th, 2025
We live in a culture that loves comfort, avoids offense, and seeks the approval of others at all costs. But Jesus never called us to blend in. He called us to stand out.In Luke 14:26, Jesus gives one of His most radical and jarring statements:“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be M...  Read More
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Grace: The Power to Do What He’s Called You to Do
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 8th, 2025
When many Christians hear the word grace, they immediately think of forgiveness. And that’s true—grace is unmerited favor, the gift of salvation, the love of God poured out on sinners who don’t deserve it. But grace is more than just pardon. Grace is power.The Apostle Paul understood this intimately. In 1 Corinthians 15:10 (LSB), he writes:“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace tow...  Read More
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Would You Come to Church With Me?” – The Simple Words That Could Change a Life
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on May 3rd, 2025
It’s one of the simplest phrases we could ever speak, yet perhaps one of the most powerful:“Would you come to church with me?”That’s it. Just seven words.No seminary degree required. No perfectly polished gospel presentation. No debate or defense of doctrine. Just a question that carries eternal weight.Too often, we complicate evangelism. We think it requires a platform, a microphone, or a deep th...  Read More
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We’re Here for You—In the Valleys and on the Mountaintops
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on April 29th, 2025
Church family,One of the great blessings of the local church is that it becomes a refuge when life falls apart. I’ve watched as many of you have come through our doors during the hardest seasons of your life—when the diagnosis came, when the marriage crumbled, when the job was lost, or when the grief was too heavy to carry alone. And I want you to hear me loud and clear: we will always be here for...  Read More
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​Laziness and Complacency in a Christian’s Life: A Wake-Up Call for the Family, the Church, and the Kingdom​
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on April 25th, 2025
As a pastor, I’ve witnessed firsthand how spiritual laziness and complacency can quietly infiltrate the lives of believers. These subtle adversaries hinder individual spiritual growth and ripple outward, affecting families, churches, and the broader advancement of God's Kingdom.  Read More
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Gossip: A Spiritual Battle We Must Fight
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on April 24th, 2025
Gossip is subtle but deadly. It creeps in quietly, disguised as innocent conversation, and before you know it, friendships fracture, trust erodes, and church unity is threatened. As followers of Christ, we must recognize gossip for what it truly is—a spiritual battle.The enemy knows that if he can divide believers, he weakens the effectiveness of the church. Gossip is one of his favorite tactics. ...  Read More
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Head in the Sand: The Danger of Ignoring Holiness
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on April 21st, 2025
In today’s world, it’s easy to play the spiritual ostrich—burying our heads in the sand when it comes to living a life of holiness and righteousness. We tell ourselves things like, “God knows my heart,” “Nobody’s perfect,” or “At least I’m not as bad as that guy.” We downplay sin, excuse compromise, and ignore the call to pursue godliness. But here’s the truth: God never called us to be comfortabl...  Read More
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Man Up and Lead – God's Design for the Home
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on April 19th, 2025
When God created the family, He didn’t just form a structure—He established a mission. And at the heart of that mission is you, man of God. You were never meant to sit back and let the world shape your home. You were called to rise up, stand firm, and lead with biblical authority, sacrificial love, and unwavering commitment to Jesus Christ.Leadership Begins at HomeBefore a man can lead a ministry,...  Read More
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