http://www.threadschurch.org A weekly audio-only edition of the spiritual talk from the Worship Gatherings of Threads Church. For more info on Threads, checkout www.threadschurch.org en A weekly audio-only edition of the spiritual talk from the Worship Gatherings of Threads Church. For more info on Threads, checkout www.threadschurch.org Threads Church no Threads Church - Spiritual Talks (AUDIO WEBCAST) connect@threadschurch.org ℗ & © 2009 Threads Church 720 Becoming partnered is essential to joy. Partnering with God and praying for partners with others. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/partnered http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06282009.mp3 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:22:23 CDT Jim Marshall Joy paul,joy,philipians 57:08 God is strong. We are not. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/mission http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06212009.mp3 Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:30:20 CDT Lee Rabe Community 39:38 Often times in community the presence of conflict is not the problem. The problem is how we handle the conflict. By resolving conflict within the guidelines of Ephesians chapter 4, we will see the choices we make in the face of conflict can work to build community. We will learn how to experience a revolution in community. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/relationship-drift http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06142009.mp3 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 11:11:56 CDT Lee Rabe Community conflict,ephesians,drift,humble 52:17 In Greek, the word for community is koinonia—what’s been called fellowship for most of recent church history. Typically, “fellowship” is Christianese for have fun with other believers. Bowling, eating, watching the Super Bowl, standing around with coffee after church—it’s all fellowship as long as you’re with “Christians” and there is food involved. Since there wasn’t bowling or football in the ancient church, koinonia must mean something else. We will discover the revolutionary way of following Jesus – the shared life. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/shared-life http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06072009.mp3 Sun, 07 Jun 2009 09:37:11 CDT Lee Rabe Community humble,sympathy,empathy,community,acts,harmony,compassion 51:57 To understand the transforming power of relationships when they are vehicles for truth and grace. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/honest-grace http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk05312009.mp3 Sun, 31 May 2009 11:04:06 CDT Lee Rabe Community community,john,mercy,sacrifice,testimony,finance,money 56:58 Financial Stewardship Update http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/financial-stewardship-update http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk053120092.mp3 Sun, 31 May 2009 15:46:46 CDT Lee Rabe Financial Stewardship Update 16:59 Community begins with humility. Humility enables me to accept God’s grace, thru the others He intends me to share life with in community. The quickest way to kill pride is to endure in community with others. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/humility http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk05242009.mp3 Sun, 24 May 2009 09:44:52 CDT Lee Rabe Community humble,sympathy,empathy,community,peter,harmony,compassion 44:38 Who are you? I am not autonomous. I am a person-in-community. I cannot be who I am without regard to other people. Into our radically individualistic culture, we speak a Gospel of reconciliation, unity and identity as the people of God. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/identity http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk05172009.mp3 Sun, 17 May 2009 06:20:44 CDT Lee Rabe Community romans,community,mercy,sacrifice,testimony,interview 59:24 Three distinct persons, yet one God is where we find community. God is community. We are created in God’s image. God Himself is a social rather than a solitary being. And so His image can’t be reflected alone, but by men and women together. You and I, then, are created for community. This week we will look at what it means to become fully human – through living in community with God’s people…and why sometimes it’s so hard. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/community--made-and-lost http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk05102009.mp3 Sun, 10 May 2009 07:42:11 CDT Lee Rabe Community community,genesis,trinity 52:14 You do not become intimate with God by being airlifted into His presence. You become intimate with God by walking with your Shepherd thru Death Valley . That is the key to our confidence: that somehow or other we is going to be able to make it into that close, personal, and intimate relationship with God despite the periods of disappointment, discouragement, and dead end streets that we find ourselves on—the dilemmas, the difficult days, the working foes, and the fears that we have to surmount on the way there. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/death-valley http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk05032009.mp3 Sun, 03 May 2009 15:41:22 CDT Lee Rabe You do not become intimate with God by being airlifted into His presence. You become intimate with God by walking with your Shepherd thru Death Valley . That is the key to our confidence: that somehow or other we is going to be able to make it ... 54:59 In John 3:8 Jesus says, “The wind blows where it chooses. You hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John Ortberg describes it this way: Think of the difference between a motor boat and a sail boat. In a motor boat, I’m in control. I start the engine, control the speed, and go wherever I want. Sailing is different. When I’m sailing, I’m not passive, I have a role to play. I hoist the sails and steer the rudder, but I’m utterly dependent on the wind. There’s no room for believing I’m in control, because if the wind doesn’t blow, I’m dead in the water. (“Spiritual Growth; My Job or God’s?”) When the wind blows, on the other hand, amazing things can happen. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/sailing http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk04262009.mp3 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:21:28 CDT Lee Rabe Living our Mission mission,gospel,sailing 52:59 Many of who love the classic gospel of "grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone" largely ignore the future implications of the gospel. However, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John show the implication of the gospel that the broken-hearted, unrecognized, and oppressed now have a central place in the life of the Christian community, while the powerful and successful are humbled. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/its-kingdom http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk04192009.mp3 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:14:29 CDT Lee Rabe Living our Mission mission,gospel,paul 44:27 Are you disappointed with your story…or do you accept the power of your personal story when it comes to our mission of sharing Jesus? Thru Paul, we see the power of a personal story. How can we dis – appoint ours? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/spiritual-conversations-1--dis-appointing-my-story http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03292009.mp3 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 13:07:19 CDT Lee Rabe Living our Mission mission,gospel,paul 38:54 It’s amazing to see how God reaches to people in many different ways. The different forms of the one gospel are like the different facets on a diamond. Learning to share the different facets with different people makes a huge difference in our impact. Learning to do this takes maturity and discernment. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/spiritual-conversations-3-sharing http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03222009.mp3 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:15:56 CDT Lee Rabe Living our Mission paul,gospel,mission 40:37 While it is true that the coming new social order is "good news" to all sufferers, to speak about the gospel exclusively in terms of doing justice blurs the fact of salvation being all of grace, not works. And that is not the way the word gospel is used in the New Testament. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/its-personal http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03152009.mp3 Sun, 15 Mar 2009 10:29:20 CDT Lee Rabe Living our Mission mission,gospel 51:04 The gospel has been described as a pool in which a toddler can wade and yet an elephant can swim. It is both simple enough to tell to a child and profound enough for the greatest minds to explore. Indeed, even angels never tire of looking into it (1 Peter 1:12). Humans are by no means angels, however, so rather than ponder it, we argue about it. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-problem http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03082009.mp3 Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:07:32 CDT Lee Rabe Living our Mission mission,serve 47:31 Interview with Catherine Dance of the Vineyard Outreach Ministry. VOM is a holistic ministry bringing development to some of the poorest in Kalamazoo in the name of Jesus. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/interview-of-catherine-dance-vineyard-outreach-ministry http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03012009.mp3 Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:53:44 CST Lee Rabe Living our Mission mission,interview,vineyard 58:00 There is much heart work to be done on ourselves, before we may undertake to work on the hearts of others. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/rooted-in-gods-presence http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk02222009.mp3 Sun, 22 Feb 2009 09:28:35 CST Lee Rabe Obedience meditation,root,obey,submit,bible,god's_word,presence,practice 59:33 Q&A discussing Threads' "Off Road" project. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/serving-the-poor-qa http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/qa02152009.mp3 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 11:24:39 CST Lee Rabe Obedience q_and_a,q&a,faq,off_road 38:39 In every culture there are the “widows and the orphans”, that is, the helpless, the undefended. Our responsibility is to be among them, to know and be known by them. We must discover ways to genuinely identify with the marginalized. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/submit-to-the-poor-and-marginalized http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk02152009.mp3 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 11:20:34 CST Lee Rabe Obedience obey,jesus,submit,baptize 30:03 Submitting to my believing community is submitting to the body of Christ. We cannot do everything but we can do something. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/submit-to-my-church http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/02082009-talk.mp3 Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:18:53 CST Lee Rabe Obedience obey,jesus,submit,baptize 52:08 No task of mercy is too small, too trifling, for each one is an opportunity to live in submission to our neighbor. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/submit-to-our-neighbors http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk020109.mp3 Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:04:08 CST Lee Rabe Obedience obey,jesus,submit 58:12 We commit to listening to our family members and share with them. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/submit-to-family http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk01252009.mp3 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:32:09 CST Lee Rabe Obedience obey,grace,commitment 47:45 The obsession to demand that things go the way we want them to go is one of the greatest bondages in human society today. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/surrender-to-god http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk01182009.mp3 Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:26:07 CST Lee Rabe Obedience obey,jesus 49:48 Often we look at the CHALLENGING STUFF as such a bad thing…something to be avoided at all costs. Instead, I begin to understand that the CHALLENGING STUFF is many times the way God brings the GOOD STUFF into our lives. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-good-stuff-and-challenging-stuff http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk01042009.mp3 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 10:15:32 CST Lee Rabe Simplicity simplicity,challenge,jesus 50:43 The Kingdom of God is here, now, and restoring Shalom to a broken planet takes more than just "not doing wrong." It takes "doing what is right." http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/kingdom-culture-and-all-that-jazz http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk12282008.mp3 Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:13:16 CST Ron Culp Simplicity kingdom,god,peace,right 58:58 God has brought Salvation into the world in Jesus: the answer to every heart that puts its hope in God alone. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/worship-fully http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk12212008.mp3 Sun, 21 Dec 2008 12:21:57 CST Lee Rabe Simplicity simplicity,god,jesus,give,less 34:43 Sacrificial worship comes from valuing God’s sacrifice. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/give-more-and-love-all http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk12142008.mp3 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:08:59 CST Lee Rabe Simplicity simplicity,god,jesus,give,less 43:02 Worship Jesus our King and all other Kingdoms will fade away. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/worship-more-spend-less http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk12072008.mp3 Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:09:19 CST Lee Rabe Simplicity simplicity,god,jesus,give,less 41:51 God is with us and that changes everything. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/give-more http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk11302008.mp3 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:05:27 CST Lee Rabe Simplicity simplicity,god,jesus,give,less 32:34 Simplicity and Christmas http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/simplicity-and-christmas http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk11232008.mp3 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:27:15 CST Lee Rabe None simplicity,christmas 17:23 If you are constantly stressed and overwhelmed, it is time to make a radical change. If a small adjustment would have worked, you would have done it a long time ago. What significant change do you need to make? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/so-busy-no-god http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk11162008.mp3 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:22:21 CST Lee Rabe Presence busy,peace,meditation,quiet,jesus 46:28 In modern society, our spiritual Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry and crowds. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/meditation http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk11092008.mp3 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:17:57 CST Lee Rabe Presence meditation,quiet,jesus,psalms,silence 57:03 “There is a moment between intending to pray and actually praying that is as dark and silent as any moment in our lives. It is the split second between thinking about prayer and really praying…How easy it is, and yet—between us and the possibility of prayer there seems to be a great gulf fixed: an abyss of our own making that separates us from God.” Emilie Griffin http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/praying-imaginatively http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk11022008.mp3 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 11:57:32 CST Lee Rabe Presence prayer,imaginatively,imagination,god,jesus 43:21 Real prayer is something we learn. The disciples asked Jesus, “teach us how to pray”. They had prayed their whole lives, yet there was something about the quality AND the quantity of Jesus’ praying that showed them how little they really knew. It’s freeing to know that praying is a learning process. We are free to experiment, to question and even fail. All along we are learning. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-lords-prayer-not-my-prayer http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk10262008.mp3 Sun, 26 Oct 2008 12:30:14 CDT Ron Culp Presence prayer,change,lord,teach 60:33 Childish is not the same as childlike http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/dependent http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk10192008.mp3 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:50:17 CDT Lee Rabe Presence child,jesus,apprentice,teacher 35:20 Learning at the feet of someone else is humbling. Followership involves being with the master. Our strokes with the brush are guided by the voice of the Creator. Could someone describe us as a person who is intimate with God? Are we known as someone who listens well to God? Just like any relationship, good communication is essential for intimacy to grow. In fact, Jesus shows us that intimacy is how we know if someone loves Him. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/apprenticing http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk10122008.mp3 Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:12:35 CDT Lee Rabe Presence presence,apprentice,jesus,communication,teacher 49:01 Could someone describe us as a person who is intimate with God? Are we known as someone who listens well to God? Just like any relationship, good communication is essential for intimacy to grow. In fact, Jesus shows us that intimacy is how we know if someone loves Him. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/intimate http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk100508.mp3 Sun, 05 Oct 2008 09:18:56 CDT Lee Rabe Church Exposed tables,table,round,eat,meal,share,communion,common,union,love,intimate,intimacy,community,fellowship 20:30 Jesus came to show us how to make space in our hearts and calendars for people. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/mission http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk092808.mp3 Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:49:14 CDT Lee Rabe Doors door,doors,mission,people,poor,disadvantaged,underprivileged,calendar,time,participant's,journey,intimacy 69:18 The only way to love a God that is not seen is to love His people. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/community-love http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk09212008.mp3 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 09:49:36 CDT Lee Rabe Doors door,doors,community,people,fellowship,participant,prayer,participant's,journey,intimacy 49:41 The beginning of spiritual change requires awareness. Becoming aware is at times uncomfortable, even piercing. Yet it is the doorway to truly living. What does it mean to have ears to hear? If we are not listening, then nothing else matters in God's kingdom. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/ears-that-hear http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk09142008.mp3 Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:22:29 CDT Lee Rabe Doors door,doors,ears,hear,awareness,centering,prayer,listen,intimacy 55:23 There is so much God wants to change in us…for our own good. Experiencing the breakthrough of life change is found in choosing humility. This week we will learn what a lament is and how essential lament is for spiritual breakthrough. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/lament http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk09072008.mp3 Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:34:46 CDT Lee Rabe Doors door,doors,lament,lamentations,jeremiah,captivity,ash,sack,sackcloth,remorse,awareness 52:39 In many marriages, time seems to erode away, slowly but surely, communication, caring, affection, sensitivity, intimacy and spontaneity. It happen from a major event. Rather, the two stopped turning towards each other and began turning away from each other. God has a different plan! His blueprint is for relationships to grow and deepen. God created marriages to be more loving and passionate than they were in the beginning. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/deeper http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk08312008.mp3 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 08:48:31 CDT Lee Rabe Pure deeper,deep,depth,pure,love,marriage,song,solomon,romance,relationships,dating,engage,engagement,propose,forever,intimacy 38:29 Commitment is an essential part of PURE love in marriage. In the last book of Song of Solomon God gives us tips as to what this commitment looks like. As He shows us how he feels about commitment, God also shows us a little more of how He feels about us. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/commitment- http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/082408-spiritualtalk.mp3 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:11:54 CDT Pure commitment,pure,love,marriage,song,solomon,romance,relationships,dating,engage,engagement,propose,divorce,forever 39:21 Conflict in a marriage is unavoidable. However, resolution will only happen when both persons care enough to work hard to achieve it. Conflict can happen thru accident. Resolution happens on purpose. What can couples do to bring about resolution? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/resolution http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk08102008.mp3 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 10:15:38 CDT Lee Rabe Pure resolution,conflict,pure,jesus 37:03 Conflict is normal for a marriage. It needs to be expected and each couple needs to prepare for it. Learning to fight fair is key to building a growing love. Pure love is actually found thru conflict! http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/conflict-pt2 http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk08032008.mp3 Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:37:21 CDT Lee Rabe Pure plan,jesus,conflict,peace,resolve 49:34 When it comes to conflict we all have different ways of dealing with it, especially in marriage. Often Conflict is viewed as something that is solely negative. Yet, PURE conflict can lead to deeper intimacy and a stronger relationship in the long run. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/conflict-pt1 http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07272008.mp3 Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:38:38 CDT Pure plan,resolve,peace,conflict,jesus 37:18 Someone has said sex is like nitroglycerin. It can heal hearts or blow up entire buildings. Understanding unashamed beauty of sexuality in a pure setting is a huge goal of God for us. Written in the romance of this couple is the amazing, pure experience God created couples to experience. Will we become pure in a grungy world of sexuality? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/honeymoon-at-last- http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07202008.mp3 Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:29:42 CDT Jim Marshall Pure sex,pure,jesus,honeymoon,beauty 38:11 God’s plan for any couple getting married is that they have a pure and joyful wedding celebration to unite their lives as one spiritually, emotionally and relationally. Then, they have a magnificent, amazing and steamy wedding night in which to celebrate their wedding and unite their lives as one sexually. It’s a simple plan…and it works. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-wedding http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07132008.mp3 Sun, 13 Jul 2008 10:36:24 CDT Lee Rabe Pure pure,wedding,wait,simple 39:07 Dating is observation. Courtship is involvement. Dating is a date. Courtship is moving toward something. Dating is marketing. Courtship is negotiating the deal. Song of Solomon gives us some great advice on how to do it right. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/courtship http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07062008.mp3 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:20:39 CDT Lee Rabe Pure courtship,dating,jesus,plan 42:22 It’s interesting how our culture thinks we should pick a marriage partner on the basis of who we like or “love”. We think we can make a wise choice on marriage when we have never been married. We think we can choose our life mate when we don’t even know who we are ourselves, much less who we will become. What are we attracted to when it comes to finding a husband or wife? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/dating http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06292008.mp3 Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:47:32 CDT Lee Rabe Pure pure,god,time,respect,dating 45:43 It’s interesting how our culture thinks we should pick a marriage partner on the basis of who we like or “love”. We think we can make a wise choice on marriage when we have never been married. We think we can choose our life mate when we don’t even know who we are ourselves, much less who we will become. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-one http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06022008.mp3 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:48:14 CDT Lee Rabe Pure wait,mate,marriage,pure,love 41:52 blank http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/gifted http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06015008.mp3 Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:07:31 CDT Lee Rabe Church Exposed 40:16 As people, we tend to be a bit selfish, yet when it comes to love we often do very selfless (even cRaZy) things. God has done something for us that is selfless and even a bit hard to understand. The repercussions of that one thing have the potential to inspire us to cRaZy LOVE! http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/crazy-love http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06082008.mp3 Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:25:57 CDT Church Exposed love,god,selfless,giving 30:28 The original lie is that the life we have been given is not enough. Simplicity embraces joy and contentment in seeing ourselves in a good story in a good world with a good God. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/simplicity http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06012008.mp3 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:59:57 CDT Lee Rabe Half Full content,jesus,simplicity,half-full 47:18 To daily be with Jesus. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/presence http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk05252008.mp3 Sun, 25 May 2008 10:10:37 CDT Lee Rabe Half Full community,half_full,jesus,solitary 41:13 We seek to practice forgiveness and reconciliation, honor, encouragement, humility, and hospitality in all our relationships. We are committed to taking the journey of faith in unity with our brothers and sisters. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/community http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk05182008.mp3 Sun, 18 May 2008 10:50:12 CDT Half Full half_full,community,journey,jesus,humility,faith,forgiveness 39:23 God's promise to make Abraham great was not only for Abraham's sake, but for the sake of the world-that the world might be blessed through him. As the people of God, we have become part of God's promise. We must be looking for the ways that God might bless the world around us and through us. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/missional http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk05112008.mp3 Sun, 11 May 2008 06:19:56 CDT Lee Rabe Half Full jesus,god,promise,blessed 59:22 We recognize Jesus as our teacher and authority, and wrestle with how to surrender to the way of love in every detail of our lives. We submit ourselves to one another in love and strive to keep our vows to God and our commitments to one another. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/obedience http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk05042008.mp3 Sun, 04 May 2008 08:48:10 CDT Lee Rabe Half Full jesus,surrender,vow,half-full,commitment 40:42 We have been called as whole people (our lives - mental, emotional, pysical and spiritual). That is, we have been called as God's people to be those through whom God works to bless the world. What does it mean to begin practicing this way of life? Where is your cup half full? Where does God need to pour in more wholeness in the kind of follower you are? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/half-full http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk04272008.mp3 Sun, 27 Apr 2008 07:59:25 CDT Lee Rabe Half Full john,truth,grace,jesus,half-full 35:16 It is our lack of wholeness that makes us want a kingdom without a king, or a king without a kingdom. Jesus demonstrated a way of life that was grounded in humanity and struggle and yet pursued the spirit and breath of God. His life was the example of the third way—synergy between the pursuit to love God AND everything God has made. This third way is the life we are invited into. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/jesus-and-the-third-way-of-shalom http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritual-talk-04-20-08.mp3 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:07:09 CDT Lee Rabe It's Time apprentice,jesus,seed,shalom 48:07 We can only trust Jesus to be our Messiah and teacher, to the proportion that we believe, despite our wounds, that we are deeply loved. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/stories http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk04132008.mp3 Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:04:58 CDT Lee Rabe It's Time jesus,messiah,teacher,kingdom,trust,time 39:42 By examining the windows thru which we see God, and by learning that all of life is a gift, we are starting to take steps towards making a life in the way of Jesus. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/kingdom--new-windows Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:20:20 CDT Lee Rabe It's Time jesus,window,gift,kingdom We grow in knowing God through the practice of generosity. Generosity based on commitment puts us in one of the best greenhouses to grow authentic faith. Each time we make a commitment and keep it, we grow spiritually. Every time we write out a check, there will be a test. It’s a test of our faith. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/beyond-us http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03302008.mp3 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 14:06:20 CDT Lee Rabe It's Time faith,beyond,jesus,commitment,tithe 38:41 Is the message of Jesus about another world, or about life in the here and now? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/kingdom-now-and-later http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03232008.mp3 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:40:40 CDT Lee Rabe It's Time now,here,kingdom,jesus,heaven,life,eternal 39:51 Were we made to be spectators or players? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/revolutionary-rescuer-and-rabbi http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03162008mp3.mp3 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:52:36 CDT Lee Rabe It's Time jesus,revolutionaryi,rescuer,rabbi,spectator,player 55:48 Jesus is everywhere in the consciousness of our culture. Yet, there is a growing unease about the current version of Christianity in our society. Rather than spending all of our time reacting to religious culture or tradition, what would it look like to honestly engage with the ways of the master – how Jesus lived and what he taught? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/its-time http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03092008.mp3 Sun, 09 Mar 2008 07:47:35 CDT Lee Rabe It's Time it,is,time,it’s,jesus,third,3rd,way,message,kingdom,skeptic,folk,religion,syrupy,christianese,amena,brown 40:58 Let’s review. Building a marriage is like building a castle. Castles provide protection for the occupants inside. Our final wall is built as a man and woman “are united into one.” In the area of intimacy and connection we are asking the questions of how God sees sex and oneness and if there is a way to maximize intimacy in our marriage relationship (present or future). http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/oneness http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03022008.mp3 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 08:30:16 CST A Happily Ever After super,superglue,glue,divorce,bride,groom,wedding,marriage,everafter,ever,after,happily,married,marry,relationship,relationships,husband,wife,love,wall,walls,castle,adam,eve,sex,one,oneness,intimacy,intimate,sexual,... 48:36 Our third wall we put in place is “becoming joined to our husband or wife.” http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/superglue http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk02242008.mp3 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:17:49 CST Lee Rabe A Happily Ever After super,superglue,glue,divorce,father,bride,groom,wedding,marriage,everafter,ever,after,happily,married,marry,relationship,relationships,husband,wife,love,wall,walls,castle,mom,adam,eve 62:19 Building a marriage is like building a castle. Castles provide protection for the occupants inside. What are the four walls for building a castle that will provide safety for a husband and wife to build intimacy and oneness? What does it mean when we try to make a castle work with only two or three walls? Our second wall we put in place is is thru “leaving mom and dad.” http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/leaving-mommy-or-daddys-castle http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk02172008.mp3 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 08:26:23 CST Lee Rabe A Happily Ever After eve,adam,mom,castle,walls,wall,dad,mother,love,wife,husband,relationships,relationship,marry,married,happily,after,ever,everafter,marriage,wedding,groom,bride,father,leave,leaving,left,knot,tie,sever,cord,dependency,... 45:22 Building a marriage is like building a castle. Castles provide protection for the occupants inside. What are the four walls for building a castle that will provide safety for a husband and wife to build intimacy and oneness? What does it mean when we try to make a castle work with only two or three walls? Our first wall we put in place is through “receiving our spouse.” http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/receive http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk020308.mp3 Sun, 03 Feb 2008 09:38:27 CST Lee Rabe A Happily Ever After eve,adam,accept,castle,walls,wall,receiving,receive,love,wife,husband,relationships,relationship,marry,married,happily,after,ever,everafter,marriage,wedding,groom,bride,slickers,city 58:32 Marriage is God’s idea. However every person enters marriage with their own idea of what a happily-ever-after looks like. Does your happily ever after match God’s blueprint? By finding common unity on God’s blueprint, couples can avoid an after-wedding meltdown. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/mawiage http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk01272008.mp3 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 15:19:57 CST Lee Rabe A Happily Ever After mawiage,princess,bride,groom,wedding,marriage,shrek,everafter,ever,after,happily,married,marry,relationship,relationships,husband,wife,love 34:19 Ambivalence kills authentic community. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/maybe http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk01202008.mp3 Sun, 20 Jan 2008 06:59:42 CST Lee Rabe Yes/No ambivalence,commit,promise,saying,maybe,no,yes,contribute,expo,ministry,fair,church,community,service,serve,serving,devoted 32:45 As we see the real essence and power of saying no, we see that it isn’t just about limiting our options; no is all about freeing us up to say an even bigger and better yes. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/no http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk011308.mp3 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 15:50:52 CST Lee Rabe Yes/No technology,techno,tech,draino,drano,battery,leech,commit,promise,saying,maybe,cans,no,yes 52:46 Life is full of options. Yet all the choices we make and decisions we face ultimately come down to just two small words—yes and no. We are the sum total of our yeses and nos. As we see God’s view of this word based on Matthew 5:37, we see the power and potential “yes” really has. When we are willing to back up our yeses with commitment, life will take on a new direction of purpose and meaning. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/yes http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk01062008.mp3 Sun, 06 Jan 2008 11:29:15 CST Lee Rabe Yes/No agree,promise,swear,maybe,no,yes 66:31 Christmas can be a distracting time. It’s a time when consumerism demands our attention and presents seem to often take precedence over peace. During this time when many celebrate the birth of Jesus we often find our lives in an uproar. Yet this was the opposite of why God sent his Son. Jesus came to bring us what the Hebrews called shalom (peace). His desire was to begin this peace in us and then to see us pass it on. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/true-identity- http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk12232007.mp3 Sun, 23 Dec 2007 19:09:18 CST Lee Rabe Identity peace,shalom,christmas,candle,candlelight,light,identity,christ,jesus,x-mas,xmas,joseph,mary 35:34 Ever feel like you just don’t measure up? Sometimes it easy to find our identity in what we think of ourselves. Those things that we think about ourselves are often shaped by lies our mind ingests. Sometimes the lies are from family. Sometime they’re from friends or coworkers. Sometimes we simply don’t see ourselves as having value. No matter how bad we feel about ourselves, Jesus feels differently. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/not-good-enough http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk12162007.mp3 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 14:55:59 CST Lee Rabe Identity identity,self,image,esteem,self-esteem,self-image 58:31 Who are you? Often the answer to that question can be found in any number of different answers. Sometimes those answers are defined by our jobs. Sometimes they are defined by our families. Perhaps who we are is even defined by our past. Yet, so many of those things are more about our reputation and less about our true identity. As we consider what God has to say about who we are it is our response to Jesus that takes us on a journey from reputation to finding our true identity. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/what-i-do http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk120907.mp3 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:20:21 CST Lee Rabe Identity christmas,jesus,mary,joseph,image,self,reputation,identity 40:11 God doesn't need our money. In the area of contributing, He is more concerned about our hearts than the dollar amount. II Corinthians 9:5-7 teaches the principle of planned giving. We are to plan our giving (need for budget) in order that our gifts can be cheerfully offered. However, planning can never exclude our hearts. God loves a cheerful giver and despises a begrudged heart. All our gifts (worship, prayer, time in serving, and money) are to be offered in cheerfulness. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/gift http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk12022007.mp3 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 18:05:56 CST Lee Rabe Possessed possessed,gift,poverty,advent,conspiracy,giving,tithe,clean,water 55:29 God revealed Himself to his people as a God whose beginning is not known. So at Mt. Sinai, the people of God exchanged this God they could not control for an idol with more mangeable qualities. Today, we worship money which promises to give us power over our lives, rather than risk it with a God who is beyond our control. When Jesus called a rich dude to give it all up, He really called him to give up where he had security and instead place his trust in Jesus. Are we choosing the safety of the known (what is our golden/sacred cow?), rather than following Jesus? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/cow http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/11252007spiritualtalk.mp3 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:26:23 CST Lee Rabe Possessed cow,idol,golden,calf,idolatry,worship,more,advent,conspiracy,possessed,sinai,moses,aaron,israel 50:39 Imagine an ancient farmer scattering seed on the ground. What are sowing lessons that we need to learn when it comes to giving? First, there is a mystery of reproduction. No one can truly explain why a tiny seed grows into a massive tree. Second, farmers use their brain. Freestyle farming leads to poverty. Instead, the wise farmer uses the practices that maximize the harvest. Third, farmers are looking for the biggest harvest possible. In that interest, they set aside the minimum amount needed to feed their family and plants the rest. This is opposite to our culture's approach to building wealth. Based on Proverbs, if we have nothing it may come from a lack of generosity. Worry will cause us to hoard, but Jesus calls us to not worry. God will not abandon us but provide for His kids. Our priority is to seek Him first. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/seed http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/11182007spiritualtalk.mp3 Sun, 18 Nov 2007 12:32:31 CST Lee Rabe Possessed possessed,seed,poverty,advent,conspiracy,giving,tithe,clean,water 42:51 Remember the thrill of winning at checkers or Parcheesi? You become the Master of the Board—the victor over everyone else. But what happens after that? It all goes back into the box. Being Master of the Board is not the point; being rich toward God is. Winning the game of life on Earth is a temporary victory; loving God and other people with all our hearts is a win that lasts forever. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/box http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk11112007.mp3 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:35:39 CST Lee Rabe Possessed possessed,box,monopoly,afterlife,after,life,death,rich 36:00 Think of your favorite dish. Is there someone who should taste and see how good it is? God's love is like that. It has to be tasted to be believed. Sometimes it's easier to be ok with the belief that God loves the world. Yet we struggle with the idea that He loves us individually. But if He is all-loving, then I can experience His love regardless of how I feel. If God is all-loving, then I can invite other's to experience His love. Who would we be praying for? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/am-all-loving http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk11042007.mp3 Sun, 04 Nov 2007 14:24:26 CST Lee Rabe iGod love,igod,igod,loving,yoke,burden,poverty,homeless,gorilla 47:33 We all need a little more power, don't we? Here is an exciting look at a God who says He is all-powerful. If he is, then I can overcome my problems, make a difference on our planet. Will we leave our mark? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/am-all-powerful http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk10282007.mp3 Sun, 28 Oct 2007 16:39:50 CDT iGod omnipotence,igod,power,powerful,i_am 33:36 God is someone who always sees the path ahead of us. What would it mean to walk with a God like that? I can trust God with my future & exchange my O.K. plans for His best plans. I can also trust God with my present. This is tough for the Google-map culture we live in. We expect to know every step NOW. What would it mean to trust this all-knowing God with my past? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/am-all-knowing http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/igod-am-all-knowing.mp3 Sun, 21 Oct 2007 09:01:19 CDT Lee Rabe iGod knowing,knowledge,future,present,past,god,trust,path,now,all-knowing 37:56 Who is God? Is our view of Him an old man in a rocking chair? Is He the "Hide and Seek god" that can't be known? Is He the "Clock Maker" that got this universe going and then walked away? Or is He just my homeboy, my bud? From God’s Love Letter, the Bible, we will learn of an all-present God. It's because of God's presence I can be directed each day, protected daily and enjoy His presence 24/7. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/am-all-present http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk10142007.mp3 Sun, 14 Oct 2007 15:42:14 CDT Lee Rabe iGod igod,omnipresence,presence,everywhere,pictionary,god,attributes,attribute 40:43 This group of Christ followers were not grasping the body metaphor Christ gave them to live. What does it mean to learn humility and find our place in the body of Jesus? In fact, aren't the two (humility & the body of Christ) dependent on each other? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/spirituality-and-community http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk10072007.mp3 Sun, 07 Oct 2007 08:02:12 CDT Lee Rabe GROWing grow,growing,growing,chair,serving,service,humililty,body,help,helping 54:25 It seems like everywhere we look we encounter people who are only looking out for themselves. We see selfish people on the highway, at the grocery store and even in the bathroom mirror. Often our attitudes are driven by the deep conviction that we are better than others. In this section of his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul says that there is a way to live that puts other people first and sees them as equals. This way of life is what God is all about. He takes it very seriously when we treat someone with prejudice or with pride. God’s desire is that we would emulate Jesus and live with humility, seeking equality and justice for others. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/when-right-is-wrong-part-2 http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk093007.mp3 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:40:57 CDT Lee Rabe GROWing grow,growing,growing,rights,paul,poor,communion,humility,eucharist,drinking,drunk,judgment 49:59 What does it take to be community? What does a community of Christ followers look like? What will that kind of community be known for in their city, on their planet? These questions are answered when God deals with a rather strange conflict over eating meat. Nope, it’s not a call by God to become vegetarian. It’s a deeper call to self-giving love. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/when-right-is-wrong-part-1 http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk092307.mp3 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 13:04:38 CDT Lee Rabe GROWing meat,idols,grow,growing,growing,rights,paul,alcohol,modesty 39:30 single… …the word carries many different connotations. For some it means freedom, while for others it is the source of great pain. Whatever the word may mean to us, St. Paul encourages us to look at this word from a different perspective. For many of us the question is not whether we should be single, but “are we so attached to our idea of how things should be that we lose perspective of what God may want for us?” So, if we want to be married, what if God wants us single? If we want to be single, what if God wants us married? In this spiritual talk Lee talks with a group of singles and begins to unpack some of these ideas God has on what it means to be…single. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/spirituality-and-singleness http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk081607.mp3 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 15:29:48 CDT Lee Rabe GROWing single,grow,growing,growing,unmarried,divorced,celibacy,singleness,spirituality 47:23 As we look forward to things with others, it’s easy to get our wires crossed. Expectations are an awesome thing. They give us hope. That is one reason that communication is so crucial when we share big expectations with a community. In this talk, Lee highlights some of the cool things that have happened this past year and some of the cool things that are coming up. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/futurecast-9907 http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/090907spiritualtalk.mp3 Sun, 09 Sep 2007 07:26:38 CDT Lee Rabe Church Exposed rivers,three,site,multi,multisite,multi-site,campus,threads:,future,cast,futurecast,futurecast,andy,browns 64:13 For some people marriage can be a big scary word and they hesitate to commit. For other people getting married was the one thing they wanted most. From either view, St. Paul lays down a couple of really important things for married couples in this part of his letter to the Corinthian faith community. Perhaps the most important of those things is the act of putting our partner first. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/spirituality-and-marriage- http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk090207.mp3 Sun, 02 Sep 2007 21:24:50 CDT Lee Rabe GROWing partner,sex,sexual,prayer,pray,married,marriage,marry,spouse,engaged,hitched,grow,growing,growing,corinthians 60:31 What does it mean to rethink sex and spirituality? For a long time it seems like the church has been silent on the area of sex or has prohibited it altogether. Yet, the Bible talks about topics like sex far more than many other issues. Addressing the faith community in Corinth, St. Paul makes some pretty bold statements about sexuality and the human soul. In this talk Lee discusses what it means to be bought by God and how that impacts our sexual choices. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/spirituality-and-sex http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk081907.mp3 Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:09:19 CDT Lee Rabe GROWing grow,growing,growing,sex,sexuality,bought,slave,prostitute,prostitution,sexual,immorality,body,bodies,bought,temple 62:19 http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/spirituality-and-conflict http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk081207.mp3 Sun, 12 Aug 2007 07:04:12 CDT Ron Culp GROWing 51:49 Where is the best place to GROW spiritually? Is there a place that exists that would be like a spirituality greenhouse? What happens if weeds get into the greenhouse? In 1 Corinthians 5 St. Paul is addressing a community of Christ Followers who have allowed their Greenhouse to slip into disrepair. Because this church has allowed sin to settle, their entire community is in danger. Check out how Paul handles the situation and find out about some of the background to the story in this spiritual talk entitled the Spirituality Greenhouse. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-spirituality-greenhouse http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk080507.mp3 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 13:36:26 CDT GROWing green,greenhouse,wrong,sin,sex,excommunicate,judge,house,spirituality,grow,growing,growing 35:09 Paul challenges Corinthian Christ-followers to look around the church and observe that those most esteemed by the world are strangely absent in the church. By and large, the church is not composed of wise men, scholars, and debaters of the day. The church is not made up of the cultural elite. In I Cor 1:26-31, Paul urges them to look around the church to see who is present. The church is not made up of the upper crust of society but rather the rejected and despised of society. Of course there are exceptions, but the rule is clear. The world regards God’s wisdom as foolish because it is incapable of comprehending or accepting His truth. God’s wisdom is a mystery which outsiders cannot grasp, and no one would have known apart from divine revelation. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/spirituality-and-wisdom http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07292007.mp3 Sun, 29 Jul 2007 09:10:58 CDT Lee Rabe GROWing wisdom,knowledge,study,learning,leadership 45:36 In life, picking favorites seems to come almost naturally. Whether its baseball teams or restaurants, we all have things we prefer. The church in Corinth had preferences too. The problem was that they let those preferences divide them. This ancient church had the modern American Idol mentality when it came to their spiritual leaders. They loved to follow individuals based on their charisma, lineage in the faith and original influence on them. They needed to be reminded that the church was God’s (3:9). These cultural values led to divisions, conflict and immaturity. They also led to an infatuation with teaching styles along the lines of culture's entertainment. This type of favoritism can be a quick killer of spiritual GROWth in our lives because it fosters pride. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/american-idol-spirituality http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07222007.mp3 Sun, 22 Jul 2007 11:22:24 CDT Lee Rabe GROWing pride,conflict,favorite,favoritism,peter,paul,apollos,american,idol,grow,growing,favorites 54:39 All of us get lost. Depending on where you live, you may find yourself lost more often than not. Sometimes spiritually we can feel lost too. Whether it’s a broken relationship, a lost job, or just a general sense of spiritual disorientation, these times come for all of us. It’s the feeling that our lives and the world we live in should be perfect, yet they are somehow broken. Jesus is aware that we feel that way and even says in Luke 19:10 that it was his mission on earth to help people who are lost. Jesus cared so much about helping others, yet for us other people often take a back seat to our own interests. In this talk we discuss how prayer can help us connect with God’s heart for people. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/care http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07152007.mp3 Sun, 15 Jul 2007 10:25:13 CDT Source selflessness,prayer,pray,dame,notre,lost,others,care,source 31:37 Coming face to face with God would be a crazy thing. When it happened to Isaiah the first thing he saw was not what he might have expected. For Isaiah, a close encounter with God showed him things he didn’t realize about himself. That realization was one that led Isaiah to immediately seek forgiveness. God then not only forgave him, but he asked for his involvement in something bigger. For us, prayer can be the catalyst for that same kind of experience. When we encounter God in prayer it can be a unique window into our own soul. Whatever we find there we can know that God will not only forgive it, he will forget it and move on. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/honesty http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07082007.mp3 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 10:19:28 CDT Lee Rabe Source sin,pray,spider,spiderman,isaiah,sorry,apology,apologize,prayer,source,forgive,forgiveness,honesty 52:00 This morning Lee surprised us by not showing up to give the Spiritual Talk. In making a point about a need for kids community workers, he also helped launch us on a journey toward learning to hear God. Too often we approach prayer simply as asking for things. Here, Andy steps in last minute and gives us some practical steps to seeing prayer as listening. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/light http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07012007.mp3 Sun, 01 Jul 2007 11:06:11 CDT Source source,andy,listening,listen,hearing,hear,matthew,john,light,prayer 33:19 John Piper said, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." When we think about prayer, do we ever think about the fact that it’s a way to enjoy God? In fact, God really wants us to enjoy him. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/joy http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06242007.mp3 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:50:43 CDT Lee Rabe Source cistern,spiderman,source,enjoying,pray,prayer,piper,c.s._lewis,enjoy 36:28 This talk begins with a satirical look at how we sometimes relate to God. Sometimes it’s easy to look at prayer as a drive-up window at McDonalds. Yet, prayer is one of the main ways that we connect with God. It is a way for us to have a relationship with him. Like a conversation with a friend, prayer provides a means of communication between God and us. That communication can lead us to amazing places in our relationship with God. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/life http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06172007.mp3 Sun, 17 Jun 2007 10:51:13 CDT Lee Rabe Source mc,mcfaith,source,relationship,prayer 38:05 The family has been called the building block of society. But how is society supporting the fragile framework of the American family? We answer that question in getting real with the major cultural forces that influence the hearts and minds of parents and children alike. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/counter-culture http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06032007.mp3 Sun, 03 Jun 2007 15:09:20 CDT Lee Rabe Who's Driving society,tv,influences,culture,family,kids,boundaries,children,parenting 58:01 Popcorn is undoubtedly the all-time favorite family snack food. There’s one particular type of popcorn, though, that doesn’t get much press in the American home—parental popcorn. We will unlock various aspects of popcorn to different parenting styles today and share God’s recipe for the good stuff. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/popcorn http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/audio05202007.mp3 Sun, 20 May 2007 15:09:01 CDT Lee Rabe Who's Driving family,kids,boundaries,children,parenting 48:32 What’s happened to the family today? We will examine a major issue that many families stumble over today. What are the key aspects of God’s authentic design for the family to help us regain our footing and achieve much-needed balance?. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/gps http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk05132007.mp3 Sun, 13 May 2007 15:09:44 CDT Lee Rabe Who's Driving parenting,children,kids,family 44:22 If this thing of being saved by Jesus is so that I can live the Eucharist, then baptism only makes sense. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/drenched http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk05062007.mp3 Sun, 06 May 2007 18:35:38 CDT Lee Rabe A New Reality baptize,baptism 46:33 A living Eucharist has to be worked out. It cannot be commodified. It cannot be lived off someone else for very long. The secret is that we have to let the body be put back together and the blood poured back in. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-church-as-eucharist http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk04292007.mp3 Sun, 29 Apr 2007 18:34:54 CDT Lee Rabe A New Reality social_justice,loving_others,serving,eucharist 37:30 When we live as Eucharist, we begin to care for people we never loved before. What does that say for our community, our mission? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/new-humanity http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk04222007.mp3 Sun, 22 Apr 2007 18:34:15 CDT Lee Rabe A New Reality eucharist,serving,loving_others,social_justice,community,mission 29:44 The people of God were created to be a blessing to the earth. What does it mean to bring "olam haba" to earth? What does it mean to bring all of creation back to "everything in it's right place"? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/blessing http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk04152007.mp3 Sun, 15 Apr 2007 18:33:31 CDT Lee Rabe A New Reality creation,olam_haba,blessing 35:35 The road Jesus walked to the cross is an infamous part of the Easter story. Did the road to the cross originate in the dusty streets of Jerusalem 2000 years ago? Or is it part of a bigger story? Let's trace God’s road map for humanity from the Beginning to the Cross of Christ. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-red-road http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk04082007.mp3 Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:31:31 CDT Lee Rabe A New Reality calvary,cross,road,christ,walk 46:03 The Eucharist is a body broken open and blood poured out. What does it mean to be a living Eucharist? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/living-eucharist http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/Spiritual_Talk_04022006.MP3 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:22:50 CDT Lee Rabe A New Reality eucharist,serving,loving_others,social_justice 31:25 Our lead pastor, Lee Rabe, presents our vision for the next 3 years. He will share the Beyond Us goals of Leadership, Launches, Location. Each person will receive critical information on how they can participate in this Beyond Us encounter. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/what-have-we-seen http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03252007.mp3 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 18:10:23 CDT Lee Rabe Beyond Us community,portage,kalamazoo,vision Jesus shows Himself on the rooftop of our lives. Beyond Us community grows in the hearts of people who want to get their friend to Jesus, no matter what the cost. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/rooftop http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03182007.mp3 Sun, 18 Mar 2007 18:10:49 CDT Lee Rabe Beyond Us mission,beyond_us,authentic,missional,community,evangelism,risk,faith http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/faith http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03112007.mp3 Sun, 11 Mar 2007 18:11:28 CDT Lee Rabe Beyond Us trust_god,religion,relationship,risk,faith 49:52 God delights in taking a few small loaves and fish and blessing many lives. This has been the story of Threads. What does it mean to know a miraculous God that is Beyond Us? What are our loaves and fishes? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/ready http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk03042007.mp3 Sun, 04 Mar 2007 18:12:10 CDT Lee Rabe Beyond Us missional,giving,stewardship,adventure,mission,beyond_us,faith,risk 52:19 What is the difference between knowing about God and KNOWING HIM? We will look at the practice of those who commune with their God. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/commune http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk02252007.mp3 Sun, 25 Feb 2007 18:13:34 CDT Ron Culp Beyond Us commune,spiritual_disciplines,spirituality,bible_study,bible_reading 51:49 What does it mean to shed our religion to find God? Who are the ordinary people who will help us get there? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/divine-nobodies http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk02182007.mp3 Sun, 18 Feb 2007 09:53:22 CDT Jim Palmer Beyond Us religion,divine_nobodies 45:37 Hypocrisy is not new. Jesus confronted hypocrisy but majored on the majors. What does it look like to follow His lead? How do we confront the hypocrite? CAREFRONTING must be done with caution, restoration as the goal, & commitment to the other person. Seeing our own hypocrisy begins with honesty and moves to confession with God. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/hypocrite http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk01282007.mp3 Sun, 28 Jan 2007 18:19:14 CDT Lee Rabe The New You hypocrisy,following_jesus,restoration,commitment,honesty,confession 45:40 Wow, this is loaded. We have many biblical examples of manipulation (Jacob w/Esau, Women w/Herod, Delilah w/Samson). In this week, we will learn how to break the power of manipulation thru: RECOGNIZE - When is Someone Trying to Control You?, DETERMINE - This Will Not Work on Me, REDEFINE - Learn a new way of relating - sometimes it means allowing people to fail. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/manipulative http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk01212007.mp3 Sun, 21 Jan 2007 18:18:08 CDT Lee Rabe The New You manipulation,control,relating,communicating 42:32 There is a great tension, we are called to be filled with God's compassion towards others. However, what does it mean to help people without enabling them? Even as Jesus cared more than anyone who has ever loved, he did not heal everyone or grant their request. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/needy http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk01142007.MP3 Sun, 14 Jan 2007 18:16:48 CDT Lee Rabe The New You compassion,boundaries,care,love,healing,sickness 48:34 We will look at the two sides of praise and criticism - both are windows to the heart. In the face of criticism, what are our responses? The natural response is fight or flight. Instead of these wrong responses, we will examine the biblical response of Listen, Answer, & Dismiss. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/critical http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk01072007.MP3 Sun, 07 Jan 2007 18:15:31 CDT Lee Rabe The New You criticism,response,listening,answering,dismissal 40:31 Think of the goals of the games we play. Games like Monopoly or Risk. In the face of gaining wealth and power, God has a very different vision for us to see. Our worship and our lives can not be separated. Injustice and authentic worship can not coexist in the life of a Christ follower. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/authentic-worship http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk11262006.mp3 Sun, 26 Nov 2006 21:28:42 CDT Lee Rabe Measure power,injustice,authentic_worship,vision,wealth 38:47 Amos hits the people of Israel right where they live. He lets them know that God sees their greed and devaluation of human life. To many of these people a human life was worth as much as a pair of Nike's or Birkenstocks. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/measure-of-true-worth http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk11192006.MP3 Sun, 19 Nov 2006 21:28:15 CDT Lee Rabe Measure human_life,greed 51:41 God is seeking balance in our lives. He obviously care are about our worship, our learning from His Word and sharing life together. But that isn't the end of true spirituality. When we truly worship God, our hearts are captured by the things that matter to God...and God cares about the poor, the oppressed and the outcast. We must learn from Amos and begin to act in ways that will bring justice for those who are marginalized. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/real-spirituality http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk11122006.mp3 Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:29:27 CDT Lee Rabe Measure justice,outcast,oppressed,poor,sharing_life,community,learning,worship,balance 48:45 We will look at the simple boldness of Amos. We will see the prosperity of Israel and that day's economy. We will unfold the three movements of Amos 1:3 - 2:16. As the Israelites heard it for the first time, must have sounded so good. 1) God is going to take action - He's been pushed too far (whoohoo, He'll kick our enemies butts!). 2) God lists the sins (those pagans have really screwed up this time!). 3) God is going to judge the evil He sees (great, even Judah's going to get it!). Then the readers heard 2:6-16. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-setup http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk11052006.MP3 Sun, 05 Nov 2006 21:30:03 CDT Lee Rabe Measure amos 53:35 God has given us a business. Our business is His business. God describes two management styles when it comes to the financial resources of our lives - wasteful or faithful. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/profit-sharing http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk10292006.MP3 Sun, 29 Oct 2006 16:26:08 CDT Lee Rabe Mind Your Own Business business,money,finances,management,financial_resources 56:53 Where does true wealth come from? Do we dismiss wealth as undesirable? Or are we simply so greedy we are unwilling to build it God's way? We will discover the biblical principles of wealth building. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-buck-starts-here http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk10222006.MP3 Sun, 22 Oct 2006 21:22:06 CDT Lee Rabe Mind Your Own Business greedy,greed,riches,finances,money,wealth 52:55 Seeing our business as God's business will seem CRAZY to our culture. In the face of our financial brokenness, we have to get crazy. The crazed Christ follower learns to: Say no, wait, save and celebrate. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/act-your-wage http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk10152006.MP3 Sun, 15 Oct 2006 21:23:10 CDT Lee Rabe Mind Your Own Business financial,save,saying_no,finances,money,business 55:09 Our culture values "kicking it". Jesus calls us to an intentional way of life. What business plan does Jesus ask of us? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-plan http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk10082006.mp3 Sun, 08 Oct 2006 21:25:06 CDT Lee Rabe Mind Your Own Business wealth,greed,business,finances,money 54:07 God has given us a business. Our business is His business. God describes two management styles when it comes to the financial resources of our lives - wasteful or faithful. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/your-business http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk10012006.mp3 Sun, 01 Oct 2006 21:25:48 CDT Lee Rabe Mind Your Own Business faithful,wealth,greed,business,finances,money 36:19 Does God still heal today? Some say the gift of healing has ceased, but James tells us in James 5:13-18 to pray for healing if we are sick. Through prayer, many today have seen or experienced firsthand a supernatural work of God related to physical healing. There is another kind of healing, however, that God is even more interested in. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/prayer http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk09242006.MP3 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 18:52:26 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life illness,physical_healing,prayer,faith,healing,sick 51:24 The thing no one wants to pray for. What we need most and want least. What does a growing patience look like? How do we truly see patience formed? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/m-patience http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk09172006new.MP3 Sun, 17 Sep 2006 18:51:20 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life prayer,patience 45:04 We are used to seeing warning labels on just about everything we buy. Some of them are necessary; some are just downright silly. Well, in James 5:1-6, God gives us some wealth warnings we’d better pay close attention to. James relays a biblical wake-up call regarding the greed and self-indulgence so prevalent in our culture today. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/go-deeper http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk09102006.MP3 Sun, 10 Sep 2006 18:50:28 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life self-indulgence,greed,management,finances,money,wealth 77:58 Our plans vs. God's will. Unfortunately, many of us spend our short lives in a vapor lock. All too often we make plans for today and tomorrow with little or no regard for God’s will for our lives. We have spiritual blindness or blurry vision toward the things of God. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/vapor-lock http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk09032006.MP3 Sun, 03 Sep 2006 18:49:39 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life plans,our_plans 50:53 At the source of most conflict across the globe is pride. A raw examination of the danger of pride and an honest chance for self-assessment. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/warning http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk08272006.MP3 Sun, 27 Aug 2006 21:18:40 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life conflich,pride,self-assessment 61:42 http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/stress http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk08202006.mp3 Sun, 20 Aug 2006 10:39:41 CDT 360 - Living in the Space of Life special 30:44 Do we really believe that growing in knowledge and wisdom in Christ is absolutely essential? How did we see that in our past week? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/get-smart http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk08132006.MP3 Sun, 13 Aug 2006 18:47:23 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life learning,study,knowledge,wisdom 54:01 Taming the tongue is not optional. The tongue, that slab of mucous membrane incarcerated within our teeth, has great power to hurt and curse; but under the right control it has even greater power to heal and bless. James imparts God’s desire to tame the tongue by transforming the heart. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/tamed http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk08062006.MP3 Sun, 06 Aug 2006 18:46:30 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life talk,speaking,taming_the_tongue,curse,tongue,words 47:38 What is the strongest evidence that Christ is real? James addresses his brothers and sisters in the Lord, those who have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and reminds them that the fruit of their lives is the evidence of their faith. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/god-math http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07302006.MP3 Sun, 30 Jul 2006 18:44:43 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life truth,faith,true,real,christ 61:07 Why do we say one thing and do another? If we all take a long, hard, honest look in the mirror, we all say and believe things that we don't carry through with when the rubber hits the road. The beauty of being a Christ-follower is that, while we're not perfect yet, we have a Savior who is remaking us into His perfect image. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/mirror-mirror http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07162006.MP3 Sun, 16 Jul 2006 18:42:38 CDT 360 - Living in the Space of Life image_of_christ,authenticity,honesty 40:07 Controlling our communication with others. Authentic community does not equal sharing everything with every person. Sometimes we need to shut up. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/relation-rhythm http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07092006.MP3 Sun, 09 Jul 2006 18:41:42 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life communication,communicating,relating,others,authentic_community 60:45 Since the first human, we have always been tempted to have and to do what he shouldn't. James reveals that God tests us and refines us through the trials of life. But does God tempt us as well? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/fish-baby http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk07022006.MP3 Sun, 02 Jul 2006 18:40:54 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life trials,tempted,tempting,temptation 56:43 God says a big part of our faith journey is not to simply travel, but to mature. James doesn’t pull any punches in the first part of his mini instruction book on Christian living. He guarantees that we will have trials in the Christian life; but we have a powerful ally in the person of Christ, who is supernaturally working in our lives to make each trial and test count for His glory and toward our spiritual maturity. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/eic2m http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06252006.MP3 Sun, 25 Jun 2006 18:40:21 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life trials,christian_living,spiritual_maturity,maturity,faith 56:41 Looking forward to the future steps of Threads as a community. A clear call to our body to follow Christ into our community and world. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/down-the-road http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/spiritualtalk06182006.MP3 Sun, 18 Jun 2006 18:37:26 CDT Lee Rabe 360 - Living in the Space of Life following_christ,vision,community 52:33 Pornography http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/porn-dirty-little-secret http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/Spiritual_Talk_03122006.MP3 Sat, 13 May 2006 10:09:32 CDT Lee Rabe Desperate Sex Lives pornography,porn,sex,addiction,addict 61:11 What do we do with the pain of the past? Is there hope for the shame that comes from past memories? What do we do when someone has injured us? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/dirty-laundry http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/Spiritual_Talk_04022006.MP3 Sun, 02 Apr 2006 21:04:58 CDT Desperate Sex Lives abuse,relationships,love,sex,shame,pain 31:25 What does it mean for a husband to love his wife like Jesus loved the church? How would this affect communication between husband and wife, and about our spouse outside of our marriages? What would it mean for courtship? What does it mean for a wife to submit to her husband? Doesn't this sound like abuse? In the end, we will remember the love Christ showed towards us. http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/light-my-fire http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/Spiritual_Talk_03262006.MP3 Sun, 26 Mar 2006 20:57:56 CDT Lee Rabe Desperate Sex Lives marriage,spouse,communication,submit,submission,courtship,sex,relationship,wife,husband,love 46:17 Dating http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/i-want-to-hold-your-hand http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/Spiritual_Talk__revised_03192006.MP3 Sun, 19 Mar 2006 20:58:34 CDT Lee Rabe Desperate Sex Lives courtship,dating 49:22 Boundaries free us emotionally because certain things are off the table. Boundaries also protect God's intent for love. We will use the metaphor of following God's blueprint in SIDEBAR: What does this mean for the perpetually dating couple? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/temptation-start-me-up http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/Spiritual_Talk_03052006.MP3 Sun, 05 Mar 2006 20:59:10 CDT Lee Rabe Desperate Sex Lives dating,courtship,dating,sexual_temptation,sex,temptation,boundaries 80:16 Love is defined a million ways. It is unique to go back to the beginning of anything. It is there we can rediscover the essence of the intended purpose. What does it look like to get God's definition of love? How does He define it? What would it mean to embrace God's intent for love? We will examine purity as the byproduct of loving God's way. We will see that God desire for us is bigger than abstinence. It's purity. Are we going to be willing to accept purity in our relationships? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/one-the-loneliest-number http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/Spiritual_Talk_02262006.MP3 Sun, 26 Feb 2006 20:57:18 CDT Lee Rabe Desperate Sex Lives relationships,virginity,purity,single,sex,dating,love 50:58 Love is defined a million ways. It is unique to go back to the beginning of anything. It is there we can rediscover the essence of the intended purpose. What does it look like to get God's definition of love? How does He define it? What would it mean to embrace God's intent for love? We will examine purity as the byproduct of loving God's way. We will see that God desire for us is bigger than abstinence. It's purity. Are we going to be willing to accept purity in our relationships? http://www.threadschurch.org/sermon/the-power-of-love http://www.threadschurch.org/mediafiles/Spiritual_Talk_02192006.MP3 Sun, 19 Feb 2006 20:56:38 CDT Lee Rabe Desperate Sex Lives sex,dating,abstinence,virginity,purity,relationships,love 63:39