Posts with the tag “lent”
Unlearning for Lent - The Idol of Comfort
by Pastor Nate on March 11th, 2026
Comfort itself is not the problem. Rest, and safety, and joy are good gifts from God. But over time, if we aren’t careful, comfort can become an idol. It becomes the thing we always protect and the thing we always expect. something we expect and so when discomfort appears, we assume something must be wrong.But the story of Jesus reminds us that faith is not always comfortable. The Spirit leads J... Read More
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Unlearning for Lent - The Need to Fix Everyone
by Pastor Nate on March 9th, 2026
Unlearning the need to fix everyone does not mean that we stop caring. It means we remember that our calling is faithfulness, not control.
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The Third Sunday in Lent
by Pastor Gary on March 8th, 2026
Today is the Third Sunday in LentWe encourage you to join in for worship at Bethany this weekend either in person or through our livestream. For an additional devotional reflection, we invite you to watch this reflection from Pastor Gary from a Sunday in Lent last year.Who belongs at God’s table? In this powerful sermon on Luke 14:7-14, Pastor Gary explores Jesus’ radical vision of hospitality an... Read More
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Unlearning for Lent - Silence as Absence
by Pastor Nate on March 6th, 2026
But Lent gently invites us to sit still long enough to discover that silence can be holy ground. Read More
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Hidden but Still There
by David Preisinger on March 5th, 2026
Despite the times that it may seem like Jesus is hidden, Lent helps us remember that Jesus always comes through with light and hope. Read More
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Unlearning for Lent - Despair
by Pastor Nate on March 4th, 2026
It is my firm conviction that God is most present precisely where hope seems extinguished. The crucified Christ stands inside a moment that is marked with betrayal and abandonment and suffering and violence and somehow Christ holds all of it with defiant love.
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Unlearning for Lent - Scarcity Mindset
by Pastor Nate on March 2nd, 2026
If salvation itself is an undeserved, unearned gift then we are already living in a world defined not by lack, but by grace and mercy.
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Unlearning for Lent - Performative Faith
by Pastor Nate on February 27th, 2026
Our appearances, or public righteousness, or our carefully curated virtue are not the source of our salvation. Read More
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Unlearning for Lent - I am what I accomplish Copy
by Pastor Nate on February 25th, 2026
God is not revealed in domination, but in self-giving love. Read More
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Unlearning for Lent - I am what I accomplish
by Pastor Nate on February 20th, 2026
Before we do anything for God, we are invited to be with God. Before we prove our value, we are named beloved. Read More
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The Season of Lent
by Pastor Nate on February 18th, 2026
Through prayer, fasting, and acts of generosity we bolster ourselves against the cold reality of death and draw closer to the God who has promised us new life. Read More
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God, I need
by Pastor Nate on April 15th, 2025
When we pray, “God, I need…” we are not only acknowledging our dependency on God but also expressing trust that God will provide. Read More
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Generous God, open my eyes to see...
by Pastor Nate on April 14th, 2025
We can become so focused on what we don’t have or what we’re trying to achieve that we forget to notice the abundant blessings right in front of us. Read More
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The Joy of Lent
by Janet Mortinsen on April 4th, 2025
In many ways, this mirrors Lent. It is a journey that invites us to enter a wilderness to explore and test and question. We can use this time to learn and grow in our faith. Read More
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Waiting Patiently
by Janet Mortinsen on March 5th, 2025
“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”Romans 8:25 In general, I have thought of myself as a patient person. Recently I have looked out my window to see frost or snow and found myself eagerly awaiting signs of spring and being truly frustrated with winter. (And that ground hog was not my friend this year…) I’m looking forward to sitting outside with sunshine on my f... Read More
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2026
January
365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - St. Ignatius ExamenHymn Reflection - God of Love, O King of PeaceThe Book of Deuteronomy - Establishing CommunityThe Epiphany of Our LordRated PG: Thoughts on Isaiah 58The Unexpected Ways of God: Mistakes Epiphany Rising Stars - Guidance365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Lectio DivinaEpiphany Rising Stars - InspirationThe Book of Joshua - God Keeps the PromiseThe Baptism of Our LordRated PG: Thoughts on Jeremiah 29:7The Unexpected Ways of God: Prayer365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Centering PrayerThe Book of Judges - Abundant MercyRated PG: Thoughts on Matthew 5New BeginningsEpiphany Rising Stars - SeasonsEpiphany Rising Stars - Knowledge of Love365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Prayer JournalingEpiphany Rising Stars - ChangesEpiphany Rising Stars - AweThe Book of Ruth - Challenging our AssumptionsStewardship SermonUnconditional LoveThe Unexpected Ways of God: FeastEpiphany Rising Stars - God Hold's the Future365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - The Jesus PrayerEpiphany Rising Stars - Beautiful SaviorThe Book of Ecclesiastes – Finding Meaning in God
February
Fourth Sunday after EpiphanyEpiphanies For Epiphany - GraceThe Unexpected Ways of God: SuprisesEpiphanies For Epiphany - Sanctification365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - GratitudeEpiphanies For Epiphany - Law & GospelThe Book of Philippians - Hope in Times of TroubleThe Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Epiphanies For Epiphany - CreationThe Unexpected Ways of God: Sports MoviesEpiphanies For Epiphany - Trinity365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Seasons, Rituals, and TraditionsEpiphanies For Epiphany - FaithThe Book of Song of Solomon – Love as a Reflection of God’s FaithfulnessThe Sixth Sunday after EpiphanyEpiphanies For Epiphany - SilenceThe Unexpected Ways of God: Niagara FallsThe Season of Lent365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Daily Life CuesUnlearning for Lent - I am what I accomplishThe Book of Isaiah - Hope in the Midst of JudgementThe First Sunday in LentHymn Devo - Lord of All HopefulnessYou Are SpecialUnlearning for Lent - I am what I accomplish CopyRated PG: Thoughts on Luke 4Unlearning for Lent - Performative Faith
March
The Second Sunday in Lent Unlearning for Lent - Scarcity MindsetLet Go and Let God Unlearning for Lent - DespairHidden but Still ThereUnlearning for Lent - Silence as Absence The Book of Lamentations - Hope in the Midst of SufferingThe Third Sunday in LentUnlearning for Lent - The Need to Fix EveryoneHymn Devo - What a Fellowship, What a Joy DivineUnlearning for Lent - The Idol of Comfort365: Spiritual Practices You Can Do - Breath Prayer
2025
January
February
Zombie ChurchFundamentalsFeasts & BanquetsAcademics & FaithShattering Our ExpectationsJesus didn't really mean that, right? Sacred Discomfort: How God Speaks in Uncomfortable MomentsThe Spirit IntercedesHappy Birthday JesusChristmas in JulyJoy in ListeningHope in the Midst of DoubtThe Gift of PresenceI'm too...Daily Bread and MindfulnessA Thousand Years is like a DaySacred Interruptions: How God Speaks Through Life's Detours
March
The Life was The Light of All PeopleWaiting PatientlyUnseenCreator God, I pray for the earth...God, I want to be better at...Holy Spirit, Help me UnderstandGod, Grant Me Patience WithThe Gospel of John - Guidance for LifeJesus Christ, Forgive Me ForThe Book of 1st Samuel - Trust During the BattlesGod of the Oppressed, protect those who are vulnerableEnduring Lord, I hope forPrince of Peace, Calm my Mind When...
