Port City Community Church Podcast

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“Pursue Truth” - Mike Ashcraft | Eyes to See, Part 2 Sep 04, 2024

Show notes

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves navigating a complex landscape of emotions and beliefs. It’s crucial to recognize that while our feelings are valid, they don’t always reflect the full truth of a situation. Our emotions, powerful as they are, can sometimes float freely without a solid anchor, leaving us feeling adrift. This is why it’s essential to ground our feelings in something more substantial - a foundation of truth. Interestingly, we humans have the remarkable ability to create realities based on what we believe, even if those beliefs aren’t entirely accurate. This underscores the importance of seeking genuine truth, which, at its core, is deeply relational. It’s not just about cold facts, but about connections - with ourselves, others, and ultimately, with God. No matter where we find ourselves on this journey, God extends an invitation to trust Him from that very spot, without preconditions. As we learn to distinguish between fleeting emotions and enduring truth, we discover that real truth is life-giving. It doesn’t just inform us; it transforms us, bringing vitality, purpose, and a sense of grounded freedom to our lives.

"Pay Attention" - Mike Ashcraft | Eyes to See, Part 1 Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

Our minds naturally categorize the world around us, shaping how we view life and our expectations of it. We often approach faith and God's Kingdom with this same mindset, hoping for predictable outcomes if we follow the right formula. However, the Kingdom of God operates in mysterious ways that challenge our desire for control. It invites us to embrace a more open, receptive stance—one where wonder and imagination flourish. This approach requires slowing down, and recognizing that true understanding goes beyond mere intellectual knowledge. It asks us to be responsible with the insights we gain and to examine how our beliefs impact the world. By doing so, we cultivate a richer, more nuanced faith that can engage with life's complexities and brokenness, rather than trying to fit everything into neat, preconceived categories.

"A Time to Begin" - Mike Ashcraft | Fall Kickoff Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

We are all on a journey of becoming, shaped by what captures our attention and the encounters we experience. The Gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection—offers more than just a moral roadmap to an eternal destination. It invites us into a transformative process of redemption, where forgiveness paves the way for renewal. As we explore questions of faith, whether through skepticism or curiosity, we're called to embody a new kind of life under God's rule. This formation happens as we encounter God, coming as we are and learning to see Him. Ultimately, it's within the context of belonging that we truly become who we're meant to be, reflecting the image of God and participating in the renewal of all things.

"Time to End" - Mike Ashcraft | Summer Reset, Week 10 Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

Life moves quickly, and we often rush from one thing to the next without pausing to reflect. But taking time to honor what has happened, to mark endings, and to find closure is crucial for our well-being. Just as seasons naturally transition, we too need to embrace the rhythms of beginnings and endings. By deliberately stopping to rest, like observing a Sabbath, we create space to process our experiences and trust in God's care. This practice of conclusion allows us to fully appreciate the present and move into the future unburdened by the past, helping us live the rich, intentional life that God intends for us.

“Resetting Your Capacity, Reorienting Your Desires” - Laurelyn Shaw | Summer Reset, Week 9 Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

Spiritual practices, when done consistently, become habits that keep us connected to Jesus. Over time, these habits shape our desires, gradually transforming us into individuals who naturally want to live more like Jesus. This process shows how our daily practices can have a profound impact on our spiritual growth and character. Our desires guide our actions, but these desires are influenced by our habits. In turn, our habits are formed by the practices we engage in regularly.

“Resetting our Connections, Reinvesting our Time” - Brett Eddy | Summer Reset, Week 8 Jul 30, 2024

Show notes

Where we invest our time and attention shapes who we become. Designed for relationships with God and others, the depth of these connections hinges on our willingness to invest time. If we're too busy for God, we're busier than He intends. To live as God designed, we must reassess our priorities and intentionally invest our time where it truly matters. Resetting our connections means consciously deciding to nurture our relationship with God and our community, ensuring our time impacts what matters most.

"A Rhythmic Reset" - Clay Everett & Mike Ashcraft | Summer Reset, Week 6 Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

Mike and Clay sit down for a conversation about their reflections on Sabbath Sunday, and how we as a community can make the Sabbath a deliberate and rhythmic reset amid the pressures and demands of our busy lives.

Weekday Reset: “Dying Empty” Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

You are listening to our weekday Summer Podcast series where we are using this summer as a RESET — an opportunity for us to return to what matters most! This week, we are exploring what it means to "leverage your life."

Today's reading centers around 1 Corinthians 15:58 and Galatians 6:9.

Living fully and dying empty isn't about grand gestures or momentous achievements. It is about making steady progress each day on the things that truly matter. It is recognizing that you have a unique contribution to make to the world - one that only you can fulfill. Your days are numbered, and with each passing moment, you have an opportunity to plant seeds for tomorrow in the soil of today's decisions.

For more information or resources for Sabbath Sunday, check out portcity.church/summer!

Weekday Reset: “The Heavy Things” Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

Today's reading centers around James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-5.

How do we leverage these heavy things? It starts with our response. Will we let disappointment have the final word, or will we choose to see it as an invitation to deeper intimacy with God? Will we allow our weaknesses to define us, or will we let them be the very places where God's power is displayed? The beautiful thing is that when we bring our honest struggles to God, something shifts. Our circumstances may not change immediately, but we do. We begin to see our difficulties not as obstacles to avoid, but as opportunities for growth and transformation.

For more information, check out portcity.church/summer!

Weekday Reset: “Salty” Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

Today's reading centers around Matthew 5:13-16.

In Jesus' time, it was a preservative, a purifier, and a flavor enhancer. When Jesus calls us the "salt of the earth," He is saying we have the power to preserve what is good, purify what is corrupt, and bring out the best in the world around us. But here's the kicker: salt is only effective when it is in contact with what it is meant to season. You can't influence from a distance.

For more information, check out portcity.church/summer!

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