be wise

Message Monday 10/13/14 – Be Wise: Aliens

Chuck Foreman – Teaching Pastor

One thing I’ve realized, even before this series entitled, “Be Wise”, where we’ve exposed some of the toughest issues facing our society today, is that it’s easy to have a pretty straightforward political or intellectual view on an issue until you know someone who is completely wrapped up in it. When you actually have a relationship with an individual who is deeply affected by the issue upon which you have taken a stand, one way or the other, it broadens and sometimes even changes your perspective.

Have you, or do you know anyone who has had an abortion, or who as a medical professional, performed abortions? Do you have any gay friends? Are you engaged in honest dialogue with anyone who is in the gay community? Are you, or have you ever been engaged in actually trying to help lift the poor out of their poverty? What have you learned from your experience in dealing with poverty? Do you know any undocumented people (illegal aliens) trying to carve out a life for themselves in America right now?  (more…)

Message Monday 10/06/14 – Be Wise: Toxic Charity

Jon Taylor – Lead Pastor

Most of us want to do good, and most of us want to help the poor. We see people asking for money on the street or freeway corners, and we’re not sure what to do. What will they use the money for? What is their real situation? The problem is some of the things we usually do to help the poor aren’t really helping. Several years ago, Phoenix Rescue Mission put out this video to help with some of these questions.  (more…)

Message Monday 09/28/14 – Be Wise: Gender Games

Chuck Foreman – Teaching Pastor

Understanding the purpose of marriage will help us see its importance to our society and recognize it as the cultural anchor to which the stability of individuals and communities is secured. The majority of sociologists are in agreement about this. So is the biblical view of marriage, but you don’t need to accept the Bible to understand the sociological purpose of monogamous, heterosexual marriage and its benefit to society.  (more…)

Message Monday 09/21/14 – Be Wise: Being Disciples

Chuck Foreman – Teaching Pastor

Yesterday we received some good marching orders from Bob Moffitt, a man who has been living what he preaches for long enough to know that it works.

The BIG IDEA was this: The truest reflection of the nature of God is servant hood. Jesus modeled this in everything we know about him. It’s the attitude we as his followers are to have in ourselves. Intentional, willing, humble, joyful servant hood is the core image of God in which  we were created. It’s the kind of life God designed us for. It is who we are to be. So, how do you think we’re doing?  (more…)

Message Monday 09/14/14 – Be Wise: Life

Chuck Foreman – Teaching Pastor

Loving God with all our mind is part of the greatest commandment (Mark 12:30). Solomon urges us to get wisdom at all costs. James tells us to ask God for wisdom. In a world where we are pressured to adopt the latest trend in public opinion, it’s easy to stop using our minds. But our society needs people who think clearly and can analyze the issues we face with wisdom. Perhaps more than at any other time, our society and our world needs us to Be Wise.

I’ve been thinking…about life…about when it begins…about our views of its sanctity, or not—and I’ve wondered, given our current views and accepted practices in dealing with unwanted pregnancies, what would the survival chances have been for a couple of key babies in history had they been conceived in this century?  Their mothers were… (more…)