Listen along as Pastor Dusty identifies and normalizes the uncomfortable, yet necessary process that leads us into new dimensions of awareness and growth. Whether we are talking about our relationship with God, others or self, there are various upheavals that lead us into greater transformation and resurrection life in Christ as we surrender to the vulnerabilities that come with seasons of change.
"New Beginnings" Part Two by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty talks about five predators that can threaten the long-awaited "New Beginnings" in our life. Similar to the vulnerability of a tiny seedling, new beginnings need special attention, care and protection for them to grown and be fruitful.
"New Beginnings" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty attempts to normalize some of the difficult and awkward steps that often lead us to various new beginnings. Similar to the Resurrection Sunday, we will sometimes need to navigate seasons that involve "Necessary Endings" and "Awkward In-Betweens" while waiting for "New Beginnings."
This message includes an interview with Daniel and Tenisha Tinsely, who recently relocated from Georgia to Eugene. Tenisha is now serving as Administrative Assistant for CitySalt Church as of April 2016.
"Awkward In-Betweens" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along to Pastor Dusty as he brings perspective and purpose to the awkward stage of transition that we all experience between necessary endings and new beginnings. This message includes Five Healthy Practices When Experiencing Awkward In-Betweens:
Grieve Sufficiently
Rest Purposefully
Engage Truthfully
Explore Curiously
Wait Expectantly
"Necessary Endings" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty shares this Easter message that helps us understand the role of necessary endings as a precursor to new beginnings.
"Fear Factor" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty addresses the topic of fear that is often an opposing force to our faith and trust in God. If we are honest, fear is a motivating factor in our lives. Just not the best one. Learning to recognize the many faces of fear can help us acknowledge them, admit them and work to overcome them so that unsubstantiated fears, worries and anxieties are no longer able to limit our potential.
"Unity & Maturity" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty brings this message focusing on the role of unity in maturing us as disciples of Jesus. This message was preparation to bring the congregation to the Lord's Table and included a reading from Jesus' prayer in John chapter 17. This message also included a video segment that is a creative rendering called The Fall that depicts the early Genesis account of Adam and Eve.
"Encouragements for Exiles - Part TWO" - John Rice
Listen along to this timely and challenging message from the life of the OT prophet Daniel who was an exile in ancient Babylon. This message includes a personal challenge by Pastor John relating to clams, jellyfish and dolphins. Check it out!
"Encouragements for Exiles" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty brings this timely challenge for how we can live and thrive even when experiencing seasons of exile. When we don't feel 'at home' with our culture, environment, workplace or even a relationship, the words of Jeremiah 29:4-8 are an important perspective to remember as we let God be God and we simple trust Him.
Jeremiah 29:4-8 New International Version (NIV)
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
"Salt People" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty shares the prophetic impetus behind the name "CitySalt" and how that Matthew 5:13 is a timely reminder of how we can relate to a post-Christian culture.
"Eternity In Their Hearts" by John Rice
Listen along to this timely and encouraging message by Pastor John Rice from Ecclesiastes 3:1.
Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. - Ecclesiastes 3:11
"Covenant vs Contract" by Calvin and Julie Tadema
Listen along to our special guests as they inspire and challenge us in the way we think about biblical marriage. In this teaching Calvin and Julie draw from the scriptures to help us see God's design for a covenant love relationship. This message is a preview of more that will be discussed at our upcoming Marriage Rx Workshop January 21-23, 2016.
A contract is more like a promise of performance that secures personal benefit and limits liability and responsibility. A covenant is more like a promise of love that secures a relationship that actually assumes unlimited liability and responsibility. This covenant relationship is easily seen in God's heart toward mankind, the Church as the Bride of Christ and the way we are designed to walk together in relationship.
"Forgiveness" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty shares this challenging, yet encouraging message about one of the fundamentals of our Christian faith.
"Simply Available" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty shares this second message in a Christmas series entitled, HUSH: Celebrating Quiet Expressions of Faith. This message centers around the story of Mary in Luke chapter one where she encounters an angel with some big news, but make herself available for an uncomfortable future of service to God.
The message closes with a time of reflection and prayer around the song, "It Is Well" featuring Kristene DiMarco and Bethel Music.
"Involuntary Silence" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty initiates a new Christmas series titled, HUSH: Celebrating Quiet Expressions of Faith. This first message in the series centers around the story of the priest Zachariah in Luke chapter one.
"Sacred Space -The Word" by John Rice
Listen along to Pastor John Rice as he brings an inspirational message that challenges us to make a sacred place in our life for God's Word to speak to us.
"Worship and Sacred Space" by Randi Nelson
Listen along as Randi continues a discussion around the little foxes that can damage the vineyards of our lives. This message challenges us to look at the little things that can get in the way of creating sacred space for the purpose of worship to God.
"Celebrating The Sacred Among the Secular" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along to Pastor Dusty as he shares a very personal exhortation with regard to finding divine moments among the seemingly common experiences in our lives. So often we can compartmentalize our sacred and secular experiences, yet Jesus is the sacred that came right to
the center of the secular. He is the embodiment of divinity that is wrapped in humanity that we can identify with. Our worship is less about religious form and more about consecration -- making room for more of His presence.
"Little Foxes - Finances" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty continues a short series entitled, "Six Little Foxes that Can Ruin Your Vineyard." This series is based on Song of Solomon 2:15 and this third message focuses on the vineyard of our Finances. Dusty is joined by Randi Nelson as they draw attention to seemingly small and insignificant 'little foxes' that can steal fruit, kill productivity and destroy our future with regard to a life-long stewardship of our finances.
"Litttle Foxes - MARRIAGE" by Dusty Johnson
Listen along as Pastor Dusty continues a short series entitled, "Six Little Foxes that Can Ruin Your Vineyard." This series is based on Song of Solomon 2:15 and this second message focuses on the vineyard of our Marriage. He draws attention to seemingly small and insignificant 'little foxes' that can steal fruit, kill productivity and destroy our future with regard to a life-long relationship.