Christianity Is Like a Rock Tumbler
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 26th, 2025
When I was a kid, I had one of those old-school rock tumblers. You remember the kind—noisy, clunky, and always humming in the garage. I'd take these dull, jagged rocks I found in the yard, toss them in the barrel with some grit and water, seal the lid tight, and let it spin for weeks. And when I finally cracked it open, I was always amazed. What went in rough and ordinary came out smooth and beaut... Read More
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War or Murder? A Biblical Response to the Iran Conflict—and Why We Stand with Israel
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 23rd, 2025
Pastor Jody... Read More
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If There Is Dust on Your Bible, There Is Dust on Your Heart
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 20th, 2025
Let’s be honest, most of us own more Bibles than we use. They sit on shelves, in nightstands, in car trunks, or on coffee tables as decorations. But when was the last time we actually opened it? Not for a verse of the day. Not for a Sunday sermon. But for a soul-deep pursuit of the God who breathed life into its pages?There’s an old saying: “If there’s dust on your Bible, there’s dust on your hear... Read More
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Why Do I Keep Running from God When I Know I Should Run Toward Him?
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 19th, 2025
Have you ever found yourself wondering, Why am I running from God? Why do I keep drifting, hiding, resisting—when I know deep down that I should be running straight into His arms? You’re not alone. This tension between what we know is right and what we often do instead—is part of the human condition. It’s a spiritual tug-of-war that plays out in the hearts of believers everywhere.We run because we... Read More
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True Repentance: More Than Just Saying “Sorry”
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 18th, 2025
The idea of repentance has been watered down to something casual, like saying a quick “my bad” and moving on with life unchanged. But real, biblical repentance is far more than a moment of guilt or a tearful apology. It’s not just an emotional reaction—it’s a spiritual transformation.True repentance is not behavior modification. It’s heart renovation.When John the Baptist came preaching in the wil... Read More
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Two Seas, Two Lives: What the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee Teach Us About Discipleship
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 12th, 2025
In the land of Israel, there are two well-known bodies of water: the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. They sit just about 100 miles apart, yet they couldn’t be more different. One teems with life. The other is completely barren. And the difference between them offers a powerful spiritual lesson, especially when it comes to discipleship.The Sea of Galilee – A Picture of LifeThe Sea of Galilee is vi... Read More
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Quitting Has Become the American Way — But Fruit Comes Through Faithful Endurance
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 10th, 2025
We’re living in a time when quitting has become the American way. If something gets hard, uncomfortable, or doesn’t cater to our feelings, we walk away. Whether it's relationships, church, work, or even our commitment to God, many have adopted the mindset that if it costs me something, it must not be for me.But here's the truth: fruit never grows in comfort. It grows in discipline. It grows in the... Read More
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Confronted by the Living Word
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 9th, 2025
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12Let’s be honest—many people don’t want to read the Bible, and it’s not because they don’t have time or can’t understand it. It’s because they know what it will do... Read More
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Back to the Basics: 4 Non-Negotiables in the Kingdom of God
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 7th, 2025
In a world full of distractions, trends, and watered-down Christianity, it’s time to get back to the basics. The church doesn’t need a new gimmick. We need a revival of the foundational things that once turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Jesus didn’t call us to be spiritual spectators but Kingdom soldiers. If we’re going to live like Jesus matters, it’s time we return to four essential trut... Read More
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God Doesn’t Care About Your Happiness—He Cares About Your Obedience
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 6th, 2025
Let me say something that might rattle your comfortable Christianity: God doesn’t care about your happiness. That’s not His goal for your life. You won’t find a single verse where Jesus says, “Follow Me and you’ll be happy all the time.” But you will find Him say, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23, LSB).You see, we’ve bought... Read More
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The Difference Between Continual Sin and Oops Sin
by Pastor Jody on June 3rd, 2025
As believers, we know sin is serious. It’s what separated us from God in the first place and what Jesus died to defeat. But not all sin is the same in practice. There’s a massive difference between what I call “continual sin” and “oops sin.” Let me break it down so you can examine your walk with Christ with honesty and clarity.After a conversation with Nan this morning over sin, salvation, and san... Read More
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Pride: The Root of All Sin
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 2nd, 2025
As we step into the month of June—a time our culture has designated as "Pride Month"—it's essential for us as believers to pause, reflect, and align our hearts with the truth of God's Word. This isn’t about taking sides in politics or attacking individuals. It’s about standing on the Word with grace and truth.Pride was the very first sin. It was pride that led Lucifer to rebel against God. Isaiah ... Read More
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Recent
Description Doesn’t Mean Prescription: Reading Bible Stories with Discernment
October 1st, 2025
Eureka Days and Weekly Challenge
September 30th, 2025
It Takes All of Us
September 26th, 2025
A Shepherd’s Warning: Don’t Drift Away
September 23rd, 2025
We Need to Be Ready: A Coming Exodus from the LGBTQ Community
September 18th, 2025
Archive
2025
March
Back to the BasicsThe Danger of Walking Away from the CrossWhen the Lukewarm Get UncomfortableThe Top 10 Reasons a Church DiesA Call To Be Set ApartPursuing Holiness – Part 2: What It Looks Like in Our Lives and the ChurchBack to the Basics: The Role of Discipleship for the Mature BelieverBack to the Basics: Worship Is a Lifestyle, Not a Sunday Morning ThingBack to the Basics: Returning to a Life That Reflects ChristThe Worst Thing That Ever Happened Was the Best Thing That Ever HappenedBack to the Basics: Giving Is a Lifestyle, Not Just a DonationThe Process of Church Discipline A Pastor’s Heart on Tithing: Let’s Return to Faithful Giving
April
Back to the Basics: Evangelism Isn’t OptionalFrom Head to Heart: Reading Scripture for Transformation, Not Just InformationMan Up and Lead – God's Design for the HomeHead in the Sand: The Danger of Ignoring HolinessGossip: A Spiritual Battle We Must FightLaziness and Complacency in a Christian’s Life: A Wake-Up Call for the Family, the Church, and the KingdomWe’re Here for You—In the Valleys and on the Mountaintops
May
Would You Come to Church With Me?” – The Simple Words That Could Change a LifeGrace: The Power to Do What He’s Called You to DoOur Love for Jesus Should Look Like Hate to OthersWhy Is It Only Offensive When You Talk About Jesus?The Dangers of Deconstructing Christianity as a Christ FollowerPerfected in Christ — Not Perfect YetBattling Depression with Scripture and Prayer: A Pastor’s Heartfelt EncouragementAltar or Stage? The Difference That Changes EverythingThis Hit Me Today: Don’t Just Listen—Live ItWe Live By DyingThe Altar: A Sacred Space for Encounter and Surrender
June
Pride: The Root of All SinThe Difference Between Continual Sin and Oops SinGod Doesn’t Care About Your Happiness—He Cares About Your ObedienceBack to the Basics: 4 Non-Negotiables in the Kingdom of GodConfronted by the Living WordQuitting Has Become the American Way — But Fruit Comes Through Faithful EnduranceTwo Seas, Two Lives: What the Dead Sea and Sea of Galilee Teach Us About DiscipleshipTrue Repentance: More Than Just Saying “Sorry”Why Do I Keep Running from God When I Know I Should Run Toward Him?If There Is Dust on Your Bible, There Is Dust on Your HeartWar or Murder? A Biblical Response to the Iran Conflict—and Why We Stand with IsraelChristianity Is Like a Rock TumblerThe Doctrine of Perfection: A Dangerous HeresyChristianity: Inclusive to All, Exclusive to Follow
July
True Friends: When Loyalty Is TestedTrue Freedom: Independence in ChristThe Less Truth You Know, the Easier It Will Be to Be Led AstrayWe Don’t Need Good Advice—We Need the Good NewsOne Generation Tolerates, The Next CelebratesTithing Again: Why It Still MattersMiracles and a Wicked Generation: Why God Doesn’t Perform to Prove HimselfIf You're a True Christian, Then You've Changed the Way You LiveThe Affair at the Coldplay Concert: When God Brings the Darkness to LightIt’s Hot… But Not That Hot, A Wake-Up Call from the HeatNo, the Gospel Is Not Woke—It’s RighteousFaith Is Spelled R-I-S-KWhat Is Grace, Really? Understanding the Unmerited Favor of GodPart 2: Grace in the Garden: The First Act of Redemption Tracing Grace Back to GenesisPart 3- Grace Through the Law: The Old Testament Isn’t Grace-Free
August
Part 4- Jesus: The Fullness of Grace Grace Has a NamePart 5- Justified by Grace You: Don’t Work for What’s Been Paid ForPart 6- Grace That Transforms: Grace Doesn’t Leave You Where It Found YouPart 7- When Grace Hurts Receiving What You Didn’t Ask ForPart 8- Grace for Others: Extending What You’ve ReceivedFeed the Sheep, Not Entertain the GoatsPart 9-Growing in Grace: This Is Just the BeginningPart 10- The Future of Grace Grace: Will Carry You HomeThe Power of a Simple InvitationWhy the Natural Man Cannot Understand the Things of GodThe Natural Man’s Responsibility Before God’s CallWhy “Unspoken Prayer Requests” Are UnbiblicalAsk the Pastor- Why Yoga Is Not Compatible with the Christian FaithMy Job as a Pastor Is Not to Entertain You, It’s to Prepare You for EternityYou Don’t Need a Voice When You Have a VerseDon’t Waste What God Has Given YouSimple Ways to Share the Gospel and Your TestimonyAsk the Pastor: Guarding Your Heart Without Closing It OffAsk the Pastor: Can Someone Lose Their Anointing?Ask the Pastor: Can Someone Be Too Far Gone to Be Saved?Your Testimony is Pre-Evangelism, Not the Gospel. Only the Gospel Saves
September
Guest Post- Josh Westfall- Faith and transformationThe Value of Believing the GospelFill Your Bucket of WorshipWhen Tragedy Strikes: How God Can Turn Loss into PurposeDiscernment Without Judgment: Welcoming While WatchingWe Need to Be Ready: A Coming Exodus from the LGBTQ CommunityA Shepherd’s Warning: Don’t Drift AwayIt Takes All of UsEureka Days and Weekly Challenge
2024
February