True Friends: When Loyalty Is Tested
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on July 2nd, 2025
There are moments in life when the mask comes off, and sometimes, it’s worn by someone you thought you knew. That happened to me just yesterday. A friend I believed was in my corner, someone I thought was loyal and trustworthy, showed his true colors. And in that moment, I had to confront a hard truth: not everyone who walks with you is really for you.Friendship is a gift from God, but it’s also a...  Read More
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Christianity: Inclusive to All, Exclusive to Follow
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 30th, 2025
There’s a tension in the gospel that makes people uncomfortable. We love the idea that Christianity is for everyone, “Come one, come all”, but we bristle when we hear that following Christ means saying no to ourselves and yes to Him. It’s a beautiful paradox: the gospel is radically inclusive in its invitation, but deeply exclusive in its demands.The Open InvitationLet’s start with the inclusivity...  Read More
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The Doctrine of Perfection: A Dangerous Heresy
by Pastor Jody Burkeen on June 28th, 2025
There’s a subtle but deadly teaching, often disguised as passion, holiness, or deeper commitment. It sounds spiritual. It uses Bible words. It even borrows the language of revival and surrender. But underneath the surface, it’s poisonous. I’m talking about the doctrine of perfection — the belief that a Christian can reach a state of sinless perfection in this life.Let me say it plainly: this doctr...  Read More
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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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