Axiom Podcast

It comes quite natural to us that we might desire beauty. So much so that it shapes and forms us like a liturgy of life. Right from the beginning in the creative works of God is beauty and the innate desire to make all things beautiful. No artists ever set out to do otherwise than that which God himself has done. Beauty is “in” the eye of the beholder. It is part of us, shaping and forming, creating and making. Beauty is instinctual because we are made in the image of God. 

If you were to type the word beauty into an image search on google literally all you would find is pictures of people disguising their natural selves. Surely, this cannot be what beauty is or where it is found but perhaps this is what we have allowed ourselves to think. It’s amazing how such a superficial understanding of beauty can have such a powerful hold on society. The truth of beauty however is far from superficial for it dispels the falsity of ugliness, materialism and judgement that pervades us. It sets us free to repentance. For beauty is the primary standard for entering into the glory of God and the revelation that all is sacred.

Do you give yourself permission to rest? God not only gives you permission but strongly desires you to rest well and often. It's strange that rest needs intentional practice but in our culture we have to be intentional to rest and give ourselves the freedom and permission. We discuss this and more!

“Community is a laboratory of love” (Richard Beck)  it is the church living out the Good News of Jesus in the world that we must press into. In the world we are to tempted to disconnect from society. We can love everyone from afar or hate everyone from afar but in community you have to reconcile, look in the mirror of your brother and sister…community by way of love edges out the darkness that isolation seeks to establish. In this way community become the epicenter for fighting the good fight because it exposes in us all the things that we must set free. 

As we continue to highlight spiritual disciplines, Micah and Gavin focus on the practice of prayer.

So often when we consider the best way to fight our battles we assume we must call upon resources of that are less than loving when in fact our greatest weapon is love itself. 

How is Good Friday "good"? Michael Denson shares his experience and thoughts on this.

We continue to highlight a spiritual discipline and practice each week. This week our highlight is the discipline of study and how it shapes our transformation and life with God!

The warfare that has backdropped Gods entire plan of redemption has come to a victories moment in the death and resurrection of the Jesus. The church is now invited to join in this battle. We are called to be participants in fighting a spiritual battle that effects all things. Lance Linderman shares his thoughts.

This week we talk about the spiritual practice and discipline of service and we talk with Jen Richard from Hope Women's Center and learn more about their ministry to women. 

By the power of resurrection Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades. Jesus is now Lord of All for  death has been defeated and perfect love has cast out fear. The resurrected life now is free by the power of Gods love alive in us and the Gates of Hell cannot withstand it.  

We conclude our series of Jesus 2020, The Way of the Lamb in Matthew 7:24-29 as we are invited to be hearers AND doers of the kingdom life Jesus describes and that is good news and solid ground for all who follow! 

Axiom children's pastor Bethann Meza joins Gavin and Micah to reflect on the new temporary ways we are gathering and experiencing Jesus together.

We always reproduce after our own kind. Jesus tells us the obvious… healthy fruit trees produce healthy fruit and vice versa with unhealthy fruit trees. You are unlikely to find luscious grapes hanging off a thorn bush. How is Jesus inviting you into His Kingdom?

Micah and Gavin's wins and reflections from the new online Sunday experience. 

Matthew 7:7-12In a healthy relationship there is a constant give and take of asking and receiving, giving and taking. In healthy relationship one asked and the other has the freedom to say “No”, “Yes”, “maybe later”, “not now”, “give me a minute”, “next week”, “Let me think about it”. None of those responses are inappropriate and in a healthy, trusting relationship the one who is asking accepts that the person answering has a good reason for their response. Likewise in healthy relationship a person can ask and keep on asking and not be an annoyance for doing that. Ask, seek, knock and the door will be opened.

Gavin, Erik and Micah discuss the opportunities of the church in this time of uncertainty.

Judgment of others quickly absolves the power of Gods Mercy he had on you. What testimony do we have and what legs can we stand on in wake of Jesus grace extended to us when we deserved death itself. Judgment kills. 

Matthew 6:19-34Believe it or not God and money can get along really well. In fact when they do we are truly blessed for our view of God and his things are in appropriate order. God and possessions believe it or not can be a powerful testimony for our witness to others as well. This is actually an area to discuss not shy away from, Jesus didn’t. 

So much of our spiritual motives are misplaced in a culture that is desperate for attention. Look at me! See how I am blessed! Cry’s the one after the wrong reward. Gods reward frees us from the need for approval and like by any other then God himself delighting in us. So let our worship be unhindered by our surroundings and let our confession with God be as alive in private as it is in the public square. Integrity with God begins in secret, quite places with an audience of one.