Prepare For Life

Today is the ultimate day of victory! Join us for the final week of the Bonhoeffer Lenten Series as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is more than a moment in history—it’s the unstoppable power of God bringing life where there was once only darkness. The resurrection is personal, alive, and overflowing with hope that cannot be shaken.Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life beautifully echoes this truth. His call to live boldly, free from fear, reminds us that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within us. This week, we’ll reflect on the incredible freedom and hope that Jesus’ victory gives us and consider how we can carry the light of Easter into every corner of our lives.Death has been defeated. Hope reigns eternal. Christ is risen! Join us in celebrating this life-changing truth. Christ is risen indeed!

Experience a bold, courageous hope that’s anchored in God’s eternal promises. Unshakable Hope is here to inspire your faith and help you trust God every step of the way, even when life feels uncertain. Discover what it means to act in faith, find renewed strength, and live with firm hope, no matter the challenges. Trust Him. Be renewed. Live anchored in unshakable hope.

Life’s hardships can feel overwhelming, can’t they? But what if our suffering isn’t meaningless? This week’s episode dives deep into the beauty and challenge of following Jesus, even when it hurts. Drawing wisdom from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship and the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, we’ll explore how God uses our trials to draw us closer to Him and prepare us for an eternal glory far greater than anything we can imagine.Together, we’ll reflect on how to fix our eyes on God’s unseen promises and learn to trust that He’s working, even in our pain. This is for anyone looking for hope in the midst of heartache. We’ll wrap up with a peaceful Lectio Divina, offering space to connect God’s Word to your own story. Join us as we lean into God’s will and discover His purpose in our struggles.

Have you ever felt too busy for prayer? Have your plans and worries taken over, leaving little room for God? Join Kathy Phillips in this week’s Prepare for Life Bible Study episode as we explore the Secret Prayer theme.Inspired by Bonhoeffer’s powerful words, “We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God,” we’ll reflect on what it means to stop rushing and invite God into our everyday moments. Through Philippians 4:6-7, we’ll discover how bringing our cares to Him in prayer opens the door to His peace—that sweet, unexplainable calm that guards our hearts and minds.This episode is an invitation to pause when life feels overwhelming. Whisper a prayer. Create space for God to step in. And be ready to experience the blessings when you surrender to His loving interruptions.Take a deep breath, friend. God’s peace is closer than you think.

This week in our Lenten series, we reflect on the theme of "Community" with our episode titled Living in Harmony. Drawing inspiration from Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, we’re reminded that Christian community is a God-given gift, not something we create or measure by our standards. And from Letters and Papers from Prison, we explore the profound call for the church to exist for others.Together, we’ll meditate on Romans 12:4-5, where Paul paints a beautiful image of the church as one body with many members, each belonging to one another. Community is not just about gathering; it’s about active love, sacrifice, and putting others before ourselves.Join us for thoughtful reflections, practical encouragement, and a Lectio Divina practice led by Kathy to deepen your connection with God and those around you. This week, take a step toward strengthening this sacred bond of fellowship.

Begin your Lenten journey with Return to the Cross, our Ash Wednesday episode. Together, we reflect on the themes of repentance and renewal, setting the tone for the sacred season ahead. Inspired by the profound writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this episode offers thoughtful insights to guide your spiritual walk. Stay with us until the end for a peaceful guided Lectio Divina practice, helping you connect deeply with the message and prepare your heart for the coming weeks. Let's walk this path of faith together.

Join us for a heartfelt and inspiring Ash Wednesday message from Kathy Phillips recorded at The Story Church. Kathy’s powerful words mark the beginning of the Lenten season, inviting us into a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Her message encourages a deeper connection to faith as we prepare our hearts for this sacred journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect, reset, and renew your spirit.

What does it mean to truly follow Jesus? This episode dives into the heart of discipleship—surrender. We reflect on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s challenging words, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die,” and explore how this call invites us to lay down what holds us back and trust Him fully.Join us for powerful insights from our Lenten series, a guided Lectio Divina meditation on Matthew 16:24-25, and thoughtful reflections that will inspire you to take up your cross and walk closer with Christ. Whether it’s letting go of control, fear, or pride, discover the freedom and purpose found in a life rooted in Him.

Open your heart & mind to John 10:3-4, where Jesus, our Good Shepherd, tenderly calls us by name and leads us forward in His unfailing love. Take a moment to quiet your soul and listen for His voice—a voice steady and true, a voice that fills us with peace, direction, and purpose.We follow not out of obligation or fear but because we recognize the sweet assurance of His presence. Whether you’re searching for guidance, yearning for comfort, or simply longing to feel God's nearness, this is your chance to pause and lean into His love.

Have you ever felt far from God, like you’re walking through life searching for something but not quite sure where to find it? Jeremiah 29:13 offers a beautiful and life-changing promise: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” These words remind us that God is never out of reach even in moments of confusion or loneliness. The key to finding Him lies in the posture of our hearts—coming before Him with sincerity, vulnerability, and a genuine desire to connect.Seeking God with all your heart isn’t about having perfect faith or following a set checklist. It’s about making Him the focus of your pursuits, even when life feels messy or chaotic. Maybe it looks like spending quiet moments in prayer, opening your Bible when you don’t know where else to turn, or simply whispering, “God, I need You.” When we take even small steps toward Him with authenticity, He meets us right where we are. This verse reminds us that God isn’t hiding—He’s waiting, eager to reveal His presence to those who wh

Join us for a meaningful Lectio Divina session centered on the comforting words of John 16:33: “…In me, you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good courage. I have overcome the world.” This practice of Lectio Divina, or “divine reading,” invites you to slow down and deeply engage with God’s Word through four steps—reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation.Together, we’ll reflect on Jesus’ profound promise of peace and courage in the face of life’s challenges. Whether you’re new to Lectio Divina or have practiced it before, this session is designed to meet you where you are. By meditating on this scripture, we will create space to experience God’s presence, find strength in His assurance, and discover how Jesus’ victory can transform our perspective in the everyday.Come with an open heart and leave with renewed peace and spiritual encouragement. All are welcome on this sacred and reflective journey.

Take a moment to pause, breathe deeply, and create space for God's presence in your heart. Today, we are drawn to the timeless words of Psalm 51: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with your free spirit." These verses are more than a plea—they are an invitation for transformation, a call to step into the gentle yet powerful work of grace in your life.Listen as Kathy leads you through the passage, letting the words linger in your heart. Notice which phrases or words speak to you the most. Reflect on the psalmist's longing for transformation and consider your own need for spiritual renewal. Where in your life are you seeking a clean heart? How can God's steadfast spirit strengthen and restore you in moments of weakness? Is it there a longing for a clean heart, the need for inner strength, or the joy of salvation?Reflect on this scripture, and like a gardener who cares for soil, look within. Where are you yearning for

Psalm 1 paints a picture of a life flourished, comparing the righteous to a tree planted by streams of water, fruitful in every season, whose leaf does not wither. It is an elegant metaphor for the stability, prosperity, and enduring vitality that comes from delighting in and meditating on the law of the Lord.In these six verses, we are called to reflect on our own paths, to consider the sources from which we draw our strength and nourishment, and to contemplate the profound impact of our choices on our spiritual wellbeing. Psalm 1:1-6 doesn't just describe a way of living; it invites us into a deeply personal examination of what it means to be truly blessed - not by the world’s standards, but by the rich, unwavering love of God.

This devotional meditation invites you to immerse yourself in Psalm 98 scripture's rich tapestry, celebrating the Lord's magnificent deeds and reign of righteousness. Join us as we sing a new song to the Lord, acknowledging the marvelous things He has done.

Join us as we reflect on the steadfast love of God, who hears our cries and comes to our aid. Through this meditation, we discover how these verses invite us into a deeper trust in God's mercy and joyful participation in the worshiping community. Experience the power of God's promises and the comfort of knowing that in our darkest moments, we are never alone—our compassionate Creator is always listening.

Welcome to week four of our Celebrate and Contemplate series, where we explore the liturgical Easter season together through the Psalms. I'm excited to guide you along "The Shepherd's Path." Picture us navigating the rich tapestry of Scripture, hearts wide open, as we uncover the deep, soulful assurances found in Psalm 23. Consider it a spiritual journey where each step uncovers more of the profound love God, our ultimate Shepherd, has for us, His cherished flock.

Welcome to the Prepare for Life Celebrate & Contemplate Series, aligning with the liturgical Easter season. This week, we are focusing on the tranquil depths and insightful wisdom of Psalm 4. It's our prayer that you find comfort and understanding within its verses as we engage in our exploration titled "Finding Peace: A Beacon of Light in the Darkness." Consider this meditation your invitation to a moment of reflection and spiritual renewal.

Welcome to a new series, "Celebrate and Contemplate: Readings & Prayers for the Liturgical Easter". Today, we're immersing ourselves in the beauty and depth of Psalm 133, a song of ascents that celebrates the power and joy found in unity, especially relevant as we gather in spirit and truth during this Easter season.

HE IS RISEN: Embrace the Transformative Hope of EasterAs we celebrate today, let us fully embrace the joy and certainty that come from declaring, "He is risen!" May this Easter be a time of rejuvenation for our spirits as we rejoice in the transformative hope of Jesus’s resurrection. Let our hearts be filled with joy, our gatherings warm with love, and our lives enriched by the enduring hope that Easter embodies.

"Good Friday: The Heart of Forgiveness" is a powerful episode that dives deep into the essence of Good Friday, exploring the monumental act of love and forgiveness displayed by Jesus Christ on the cross. This pivotal moment in history not only exemplifies the depth of God's love but also lays the foundation for the Gospel's core message: forgiveness. Through engaging discussions, we unpack the significance of forgiving others as a reflection of Christ's forgiveness towards us, even in the face of betrayal and suffering. This episode challenges listeners to embrace forgiveness in their own lives, highlighting its crucial role in our spiritual journey and relationship with God. Join us on "Good Friday: The Heart of Forgiveness" for an inspiring exploration of how forgiveness can transform hearts and renew spirits.