Faithwestwood Umc

November 19, 2017 Jesus warns us about being quick to point out someone else’s faults. Our judgment of the person may be worse than the sin we’re condemning. How do we make judgments without judging? With extreme humility.

November 5, 2017 Kids are not fans of super-long, wordy prayers. Neither are most adults. Neither was Jesus. Instead of giving us a long prayer with lots of words, he gave us an outline, a template for prayer. And when prayed from the heart, it opens the doors to God’s presence.

November 12, 2017 Where do you keep your treasure? Under your mattress? In the bank? In a safe? Jesus reminds us that nothing in this life is secure. But by giving deeply for others, we make deposits in heaven which will receive eternal dividends. It’s about putting our trust in God and seeking his kingdom above all.

October 29, 2017 The word “pious” used to be a positive term. It meant that you revere God. And it can still mean that. But because of spiritual show offs, the word “pious” usually refers to hypocrites who make a show of their religiosity. Jesus warns us about people like that. We must not imitate them.

October 22, 2017 A special interview with the Family Ministry Staff at FaithWestwood about how we can invest in the next generation of the Church.

October 1, 2017 We don’t like to talk about sin, ours or anyone else’s. Jesus wasn’t afraid to name sin, even secret ones we’re sure won’t hurt anybody. We can’t go with a new flow until we face our dark side and rely on grace.

October 15, 2017 The most difficult people in your life are those who insult you, take advantage of you, or treat you like a second-class citizen. Jesus says love them. Pray for them. Be generous with them. And if you find this new flow impossible, it’s because it is! But we do it anyway, because we trust Jesus. Then we wait and watch for something remarkable to happen.

October 8, 2017 When you’ve made a promise, what’s your breaking point? What does it take for you to give up on your word? $20 bucks? Somebody better looking? Jesus taught us to take our word with dead seriousness. Going with a new flow means your yes means yes, and your no means no.

September 24, 2017

October 1, 2017 We don’t like to talk about sin, ours or anyone else’s. Jesus wasn’t afraid to name sin, even secret ones we’re sure won’t hurt anybody. We can’t go with a new flow until we face our dark side and rely on grace.

October 8, 2017 When you’ve made a promise, what’s your breaking point? What does it take for you to give up on your word? $20 bucks? Somebody better looking? Jesus taught us to take our word with dead seriousness. Going with a new flow means your yes means yes, and your no means no.

September 10, 2017 Jesus speaks blessings on the most unlikely people: the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the spiritually hungry and thirsty. Immediately, he has everyone’s attention. The “un-blest” now feel a breeze of hope. Going with a new flow begins with unexpected blessings for unsuspecting people – even you.

September 3, 2017 Most of us are tired – which makes our tempers shorter, our patience thinner, and our self-control weaker. The only cure is to stop doing and simply rest. Jesus spoke these welcomed words to his followers, “Come to me . . . and I will give you rest.” How much activity is enough? Can Jesus help me regain my balance?

August 20, 2017 In the wake of current events, Pastor Steve preached a timely message on responding to racism.

August 13, 2017 Q: How much money is enough? A: Just a little more. Some truly need more resources to live. But most of the time what we lack is contentment. According to Jesus, a rich person who never has enough is foolish, while a poor person who gives generously is praised for their faith. How much is enough? Can Jesus help me regain my balance?

August 6, 2017 The most common excuse you’ll hear is “I didn’t have time.” Ever use it? Sometimes it’s true. But most of the time it reveals a life that’s out of balance. It wasn’t easy for Jesus to find balance either – everybody needed him and wanted to be around him. But he found a way to readjust, reserving time for what matters most. What is enough? Can Jesus help me regain my balance?

Stories from the 2017 Student Ministry Summer Mission trips to San Jose, Costa Rica and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

July 23, 2017 Why do we live in a world where the innocent face disease and death? Why are good people abused by evil oppressors? And if God exists, why doesn’t he do something to fix it? People have been asking these questions for millennia. And for many of us, this problem of suffering may be our biggest barrier to believing. If the unfairness of life ever bothers you, go back with us to the unfolding drama found in the Book of Job.

July 16, 2017 Why do we live in a world where the innocent face disease and death? Why are good people abused by evil oppressors? And if God exists, why doesn’t he do something to fix it? People have been asking these questions for millennia. And for many of us, this problem of suffering may be our biggest barrier to believing. If the unfairness of life ever bothers you, go back with us to the unfolding drama found in the Book of Job.

Why do we live in a world where the innocent face disease and death? Why are good people abused by evil oppressors? And if God exists, why doesn’t he do something to fix it? People have been asking these questions for millennia. And for many of us, this problem of suffering may be our biggest barrier to believing. If the unfairness of life ever bothers you, go back with us to the unfolding drama found in the Book of Job.