Arbor Church

Ever felt disqualified because of something in your past? Because of where you’re from? Think your family’s just too messed up to be worth anything? Well, today we’re looking at that long genealogy in Matthew that you’ve probably skipped over once or twice to take a look at Jesus’ family tree. And if you think your family is a train wreck, wait until you hear about His!

Sometimes the most overwhelming part of the holidays is just the people around us. What is it about those close to us at holidays that can make us feel as though we can’t take another minute? Bob Lee digs into Philippians 2 to help us understand why we so often feel that way – and what we can do about it.

You might not admit to being overwhelmed by money or fear, but many of us are somehow proud of being overwhelmed by the pace at which we live. We take pride in being busy and filling our time with activities and responsibilities. We’re certainly doing a lot – but is that really the life Jesus is inviting us into?

Money is one of the biggest things we fight about, one of the most frequently discussed topics in the New Testament, and yet still somehow a taboo subject. You’ve probably felt overwhelmed by finances at least once in your life – and odds are you find them overwhelming now. So, today: straight talk about money, from a spiritual perspective (via Pastor Jake) and from a practical perspective (via our own Mr. Winter, a Certified Financial Planner).

If you ask someone how they’re really feeling as we enter the holiday season, “overwhelmed” is likely to be an honest answer. Why does it feel sometimes like we’re drowning when we’re just trying to make it through the day? In this series we’re looking at what overwhelms us – and today Jake talks about fear.

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” – Isaiah 6:8. It’s easy enough to say these words, but when it comes down to it, most of us have a lot of excuses and qualifications around this prayer. Guest speaker Pat Swanson breaks these down and shows us what it means to pray this prayer and mean it.

“Break me.” – another prayer that should come with a warning label. When Jesus showed us how to pray this prayer, it was at what we now call the Last Supper. What can we learn from His prayer in this hour?

Our new series is about some of the prayers in Scripture that … well, let’s say they shouldn’t be prayed lightly. We’re starting with David’s dangerous prayer in Psalm 139: Search me, O God, and know my heart…

We’re wrapping up our series on the Bible with the tough questions you sent in over the last few weeks. What do we mean when we say the Bible is inerrant–isn’t it full of inconsistencies? How do we know the right books made it into the Bible? How can we reconcile the wrathful, genocidal tribal God of the Old Testament with the loving Father of the New Testament? Wally Kowalski joins us for a chat about these questions (and more!)

If the Bible’s a text message from God, it’s certainly an awfully long and daunting one – and anyone who’s tried to read it cover to cover knows that isn’t the best way to do it! This week, Bob gives us some simple tools for reading and learning from Scripture. You might say it’s as easy as using soap.