Port City Community Church Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"Unexpected Hope" - Mike Ashcraft | Unexpected Christmas, Week 1 Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

Jesus doesn't come to whisk us away from life's challenges but instead walks alongside us in the midst of them. He entered into not only our mess, but also the messiness of humanity and our broken world. The very name "Immanuel" means God with us, signifying His abiding presence as the source of hope. During this week, we’ll explore the dichotomy between a "Hope for" mentality, rooted in circumstances, and a "Hope in" mentality, grounded in a personal relationship with Him. Our human tendency is to manufacture hope, peace, and joy through control, but we'll learn the importance of trusting God's plan over our own.

Christmas At Port City! 🌟 Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

We are so excited to celebrate Christmas together! 🎄

To learn more about our Christmas Eve gathering times & locations on Sunday, December 24th, you can head to www.portcity.church/christmas.

For this season, we are trying a new audio podcast of our Christmas-themed devotions. We hope this can be a new way to help you engage in your relationship with God through scripture, reflection, and prayer throughout the week. You can listen to this during your quiet time, as you are making breakfast, on the way to work. You can subscribe wherever you listed to podcasts!

You can learn more about our family Christmas content and all the other ways you engage with our church this season at www.portcity.church/life.

We look forward to celebrating this Christmas season together. We'll see you soon!

"Our Story For His Glory" - Mike Ashcraft | Available, Week 4 Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

Your unique part matters, and it matters greatly to the whole. In the context of a church, the story we tell is not just about doctrines or rituals; it's about the lives of each member making a collective difference. When a group comes together, leveraging their lives for a common purpose, the impact is nothing short of profound. It's a symphony of diverse talents, passions, and gifts, all harmonizing to be a compelling force of God's love in the world around us. Our mission is clear - to leave a noticeable difference in the places we touch. It's not about making headlines or seeking recognition; it's about being agents of transformation, extending Christ's love wherever we go. The world longs for authenticity, a genuine expression of love and grace, and we have the power to offer just that. We are co-authors of a story, each line etching a mark of God's love. Our individual contributions, woven together, create a narrative that can change lives and bring hope to a world in need.

"How Do I Leverage This?" - Clay Everett | Available, Week 3 Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

We often overlook a paradox—the ability to leverage our hardships, failings, and weaknesses to draw us closer to God and make an impact for the Kingdom of God. Leveraging the hard stuff means not just enduring it but embracing it. It's about naming our sufferings and sharing our failings, for it's in this raw honesty that allows for healing to take place and hope to spring up. We often run from our struggles, seeking refuge in distractions or denial. But it's precisely when we face them head-on when we muster the courage to admit our weaknesses, that we allow God to work inside our hearts. It's easy to put on a façade of strength and invulnerability. We've been conditioned to believe that this is the way to navigate life. But the cracks in our armor, the moments when we drop our guard and expose our true selves, make the most profound impact. We connect with one another through vulnerability; through this same vulnerability, we connect with God.

"Who Am I" - Laurelyn Shaw | Available, Week 2 Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

We often forget that the sum of who we are—our time, gifts, work, resources, personality, and every facet of our existence—is a divine provision. But here's the catch: God's provision is never meant to end with us; it's meant to be shared for the benefit of others. Why, then, do we so often doubt that we have anything worthwhile to offer the world around us? It's because we hold a skewed identity that blinds us to the immense potential within ourselves and our circumstances. We play the dangerous game of comparison, often measuring our perceived deficiencies against the gifts of others. However, in the midst of this self-doubt, there lies an invaluable tool—discernment. Knowing yourself and understanding your unique blend of strengths and weaknesses is key. You can unearth the treasures within through discernment and learn to offer them to a world hungry for authenticity and generosity.

"What Am I Willing to Offer" - Mike Ashcraft | Available, Week 1 Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

Our impact is most profoundly felt in the everyday, ordinary moments. We don't have to wait for grand gestures or dramatic events to make a difference. Instead, we have the privilege of offering God our actual, lived lives -- our mundane routines, small acts of kindness, and ordinary conversations. Our identity in Christ is the starting point for us to recognize our potential. It's not about striving to be someone we're not, but rather, it's about embracing who we are in Him. It's about understanding that we can reflect His love and grace to the world around us in our unique, imperfect selves. Deep within us, there's a God-given desire to create, to find meaning and purpose in our lives, and to make a difference in the world around us. This isn't a selfish pursuit; it's a reflection of God within us. When we tap into his desire and align it with His purposes, we discover a sense of fulfillment and joy that transcends the ordinary. Sacrifice isn't what we give up but what we make available.

"A Generative Generosity" - Mike Ashcraft | It's Complicated, Week 3 Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

God desires us to have a harmonious relationship with our finances, for it not to be a master over us but a tool we utilize to declare our trust and dependency while making choices that honor Him. Yet, this can only occur when we're willing to do the hard work and get gut-level honest about defining our relationship with money. Financial stewardship is not just a practical matter but a profound spiritual discipline. Gratitude and generosity are cultivated over time. Whether we are rich or poor, find ourselves with abundance, or are just making ends meet, there is potential and purpose in our situation and how we handle our finances, and the first place it transforms is our hearts.

"What Money Reveals About Us" - Mike Ashcraft | It's Complicated, Week 2 Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

Money isn't just currency; it's a window into the depths of our souls. It has an uncanny ability to expose the very core of who we are. When we peer into the mirror of our financial choices, we often find a reflection that might surprise us. Money unveils the condition of our hearts in a tangible way. It exposes our fears, our insecurities, and our trust issues. Our financial habits showcase our need for control and the depth of our faith and trust in God. By peeling back the layers and asking the hard questions, we can gain insight into what our relationship with money reveals about us.

"Walking Together" with Katie Robinson Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

Entering into "messy" conversations with our kids can feel scary. We want to say all the "right" things, and we want to be able to answer any questions they might have. The reality is that we rarely feel prepared!

That is why we are SO excited to tell you about a new resource from our church called "Walking Together!"

Walking Together is a book collection designed to help elementary-aged children process common yet difficult topics alongside their parents.

We believe that parents are the most influential spiritual leaders in their children's lives, so as a church, we want to help them lead their kids well.

To learn more about this collection, we sat down with the author, Katie Robinson, to talk about how these books will resource and give confidence to anyone looking to enter into "messy" conversations with the kids in their lives.

You can learn more at www.portcity.church/walkingtogether!

"How We See Money" - Mike Ashcraft | It's Complicated, Week 1 Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

If money were a person, what would your relationship with them look like? Would it be a strained, complicated bond or a healthy, thriving connection? Fear can create distance, avoidance can lead to neglect, and pride and arrogance can strain our finances like a bad breakup. Discontentment can keep us constantly chasing more, and selfishness can turn us into emotional spenders. These money struggles are common and relatable, but there's hope. Just like any relationship, our connection with money can be formed and shaped!