This is message #4 in a six-week relationship series called Living Right-Side Up. Pastor Dusty highlights the adventures of Luci the Blonde Russian Box Tortoise (a former Johnson family pet) while discussing the discussing the challenges to living right-side up as it relates to our work.

Whether you look at your role as an employer or employee, there is something to be learned from Colossians chapter three that can help us live Right-Side Up in our work life. With the backdrop of mutual obligation to one another and mutual submission to the authority of Christ we are encouraged with these two points as it relates to our work…

1. Work as though Jesus is your boss
2. Work as though Jesus owns you business

 

 

 

This is message #4 in a six-week relationship series called Living Right-Side Up. Pastor Dusty highlights the adventures of Luci the Blonde Russian Box Tortoise (a former Johnson family pet) while discussing the discussing the challenges to living right-side up as it relates to our work.

Whether you look at your role as an employer or employee, there is something to be learned from Colossians chapter three that can help us live Right-Side Up in our work life. With the backdrop of mutual obligation to one another and mutual submission to the authority of Christ we are encouraged with these two points as it relates to our work…

1. Work as though Jesus is your boss
2. Work as though Jesus owns you business

 

This is message #3 in a six-week relationship series called Living Right-Side Up. Pastor Dusty that highlights the adventures of Luci the Blonde Russian Box Tortoise (a former Johnson family pet) while discussing the discussing the daily struggle to live right-side up in relationship with ourselves while living in an up-side down world. It is part of the human condition to know what is right, yet do what is wrong.  We are never as good as we know we should be. We are both haunted by the desire for goodness and haunted by the evil within.  The apostle Paul, in Romans 7 gets authentice and vulnerable as he sets the stage for an answer to the dilemma of our human inadequacies…

Romans 7:16-25 The Message

What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.

17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.

21-23It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

24I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?

25The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

 

 

 

This is message #2 in a six-week relationship series called Living Right-Side Up and deals with improving our relationships with others.  So often the elusive pursuits of Power (importance – the need to be known), Popularity (influence – the need to be accepted) and Prosperity (affluence – the need for possessions) can become vain traps that keep us foolishly spinning our wheels and neglecting the Right-Side Up relationships God has designed us to have with one another.  In God’s economy, those who serve become great. Pastor Dusty encourages us to be “great” in our relationships by:

1. Serving Selflessly – Serving others without concern for advancing yourself.  This means trusting God and refusing the temptation to control or dominate the relationship. 

2. Serving Joyfully – Serving others because you know it touches God’s heart and is the way of love. Serving others in love is what Jesus taught and modeled in the scriptures. 

3. Serving Generously – Serving others without concern for preserving self.  Living as though God is your source and you are a willing dispenser of His kingdom resources.   

4. Serving Courageously – Serving others by taking risks to extend love even when others wouldn’t.  Our selfish and insecure ruts run deep.  It will take courage and great intentionality to blaze a new trail as you take your place in God’s kingdom economy. 

Mark 10:43-45 NLT 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

This is message #1 in a six-week relationship series called Living Right-Side Up.  Pastor Dusty highlights the adventures of Luci the Blonde Russian Box Tortoise (a former Johnson family pet) while discussing the discussing the daily struggle to live right-side up with God while living in an up-side down world. This message explores three ways we can get up-side down with God and three keys to getting right-side up again from Micah chapter six.

 

Micah 6:8 NKJV

He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justly,

To love mercy,

And to walk humbly with your God?

 

Most of us can admit to having a vague understanding of shame.  Often we may treat shame and guilt as one in the same.  Though both are very powerful feelings that we all experience, they are very different…

‘Guilt says, “I made a mistake”.
Shame says, “I am a mistake”’.

Often failure or weakness can leave a person to take on a level of shame that is deeper than an event or circumstance and can leave a person shattered, fractured or debilitated in a state of low self worth.

Listen along as Pastor Dusty invites us to leave our “Box of Shame” as we consider the lakeside meeting with Peter and the disciples detailed in John 21.  In this passage we see Jesus extending the same generous gift of mercy and grace to Peter that is available to us.     

Listen along as Pastor Shannon Kearney brings an encouraging word for those who find themselves in a wilderness season of life through the life of Moses in Exodus chapter three and four. 

YES, today we celebrate that Jesus Christ is alive and well! 

Jesus rose from a tomb that was seen by many as a tragic ending, but rather proved the power of God for the miracles and new beginnings.  Jesus punched a hole in the black shroud of death and gave light a chance to shine in the mist of our darkness.  And the hope that Jesus gives is not more of the same, but rather a confident expectation that there is more and better on the way.

In this message Pastor Dusty looks at several days in the life of the disciples prior to resurrection day and how we can relate to their Eager Presumption (Palm Sunday), Naïve Ambition (Holy Thursday), Piercing Humiliation (Good Friday), Painful Realization (Holy Saturday) and finally their Hopeful Reconciliation on Easter Sunday.  

As we live a life that is characterized mostly Saturday, because of Christ Jesus, we have a confident expectation that our Sunday is coming!

The service also included a video presentation “Christ is Risen” by Matt Mahr.

 

This message highlights the importance of downloading, activating and upgrading our pursuit of meaningful relationships. More than just the practical benefits of “strength in numbers” Pastor Dusty challenged us to a deeper level of relationship that was enjoyed by the early church in Acts chapter two.  This level of fellowship cannot happen without humility and willingness to trust God and others with the real me.   

 

Acts 2:42-47 NLT

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship (koinonia), and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

 

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

 

 

Three Expanded Definitions of Fellowship (Koinonia):

1.      Koinonia means 'Fellowship' because we are sharing common ground or an experience together.  By way of Christ’s life, death, resurrection and ascension, we can share an Intimate Friendship with God and others.

 

2.      Koinonia means 'Contribution' because we are sharing with others what we ourselves have. Each of us has a Unique Function in the family of God. We all have something to give and share with each other. 

 

3.      Koinonia means 'Participation' because we are sharing in what others have to give.  Since all have a unique contribution for the benefit of the whole, we share a Vital INTERDEPENDANCY with each other.   

 

 

This is message #7 in the iWorship Series where Pastor Dusty shares a message from Psalm 103 that emphases the important role of praise as a part of our worship and intimacy with God. 

 When we witness an incredible display of athleticism or hear a stunning musical performance we can often be moved to a response of praise. Praise means to commend, to applaud or magnify, and according to the Scriptures, praise is an act of our will that flows out of an awe and reverence for our Creator. Praise turns our attention off of our problems and on the nature and character of God. This is worship. The results can fill our hearts with peace and contentment and transform your outlook on life. Very simply, we praise God because He is worthy of our praise.

Check out this song written by Matt Redman called 10,000 from Psalm 103...

 

Psalm 103:1-22 NLT A psalm of David.

 1 Let all that I am praise the LORD;  with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

 2 Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.

 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

This is message #6 in the iWorship Series where Pastor Dusty talks about the importance of worshipping God by being a life-long learner.  Our approach to the Bible is less about information and more about transformation.  The goal is to worship God and enjoy a greater level of intimacy with Him. 

The congregation was given an opportunity to practice reading a passage of scripture and experiment with the SOAP Journaling method developed by Dr. Wayne Cordeiro.  SOAP is an acronym for the following: 

• SCRIPTURE—Write down a verse or verses that seem to stand out to you from the reading.

• OBSERVATION—Write an observation of how these verses affected you or how God may be speaking to you.

• APPLICATION—Write one or more points describing how the passage applies to you and your situation. You may want to write some action points—how you intend to apply this to your life.

• PRAYER—Write a brief prayer to God that expresses how you are feeling about the Scripture you just read.

Click here for more Bible reading tools and resources....

• Bible Reading Plan
• SOAP Journaling Method
• SouthHills Devotional (this includes a print version the above resources)

This is message #5 in the iWorship Series where Pastor Dusty talks about the importance of downloading, activating and upgrading our life of prayer as a part of our worship to God from Matthew 6:5-13. 

 

Prayer is both an expressive and receptive exchange with God.  It is a shared intimacy between a loving and merci-rich Heavenly Father and a humble and devoted follower.  Prayer is honest communication at a deep soul level and everything about our culture will war against an active and consistent journey of prayer.

 

Matthew 6:9-13

9 In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

13 And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

SouthHills Church welcomed special guest, Larry Powers on Sunday, February 12, 2012. Larry is a professor at New Hope Christian College in West Eugene and brought this message from the gospel of Mark 6:30-44. Listen along to this message as Larry helps us understand what Jesus wanted His disciples to see, realize, do and believe through a miracle that thousands of people.

 

 

This is message #4 in the iWorship Series. Pastor Dusty challenges us to consider various “apps & upgrades” that are a necessary part of our life of worship to God.  This message challenges us to wait patiently for God to do what only He can do.  Learning to wait on God is an important part of a life of honor, trust and worship unto God.  To restrain our natural responses of anxiety, fear and panic while waiting patiently for God’s intervention.  Waiting is less about our effort and more about learning to trust His care on our behalf.   

Psalm 37:7
7 Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
 
Isaiah 40:27-31
27 O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? 28 Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. 29 He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. 30 Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. 31 But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

This is message #3 in the iWorship Series. Pastor Dusty challenges us to consider various “apps & upgrades” that are a necessary part of our life of worship to God.  This message challenges us to listen for the guiding voice of the Holy Spirit and requires that we have attentive ears, an engaged mind and an open heart.  We also look at the comforting role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and the discomforting role of the Holy Spirit in the life of those living an at odds their Heavenly Father. 

Scripture references include:  1 Kings 16-19, John 14 and 16

This is message #2 in the iWorship Series.  Listen along as Pastor Dusty challenges us to consider various “apps & upgrades” that are a necessary for a life of worship to God.  This message considers the challenge for us to love God with a heart that is willing to yield to His guiding voice.  Prompted by a look at Abraham’s faithful obedience to God’s test and King Saul’s unfortunate disobedience to God’s instruction, we can see the practical benefits of listening and obeying God’s voice with the help of the abiding and manifest presence of the Holy Spirit (Genesis 22, 1 Samuel 15).

  

A Definition for Tests or Trials

Tests or trials are used by God to affirm strengths and reveal weaknesses in the believer for the purpose of defining potential.  God will use tests or trials to strengthen and mature our capacity to trust Him more as we navigate challenging seasons and difficult circumstances.   Tests are all about our constructive development and are administered by a loving God who has a hopeful expectation for our success. (Matthew 7:24-27)

 

A Definition for Temptations

Temptations are a tool of our adversary and a product of our own disordered desires.  The purpose is to exploit our weaknesses for the purpose of failure, shame and defamation by destroying the believer’s confidence as a child of God.  The adversary tempts will tempt us in order to establish patterns of disobedience that are intended to drive a wedge of shame between our faith and the grace and goodness established through the love of Christ. (John 10:10, 1 Peter 5:8, I Corinthians 10:13)

This message introduces the iWorship Series that looks at practices vital to our relationship with God and worth updating for each new season of life. Pastor Dusty talks about two biblical examples from Genesis 8 and 11 that touched God’s heart and moved His hand: One as an example of what worship is, and the other as an example of what worship is not.

“Worship is the believers response of all that he is mind, emotion, will and body to all that God is and says and does. This response has a mystical side in subjective experience, and it's practical side in objective obedience to God's revealed truth. It is a loving response that is balanced by the fear of the Lord, and it is a deepening response as the believer comes to know God better.” - Warren Wiersbe

On the first morning of 2012, Pastor Dusty encourages us to pursue personal disciplines that will result in new discoveries, greater freedom and deeper fulfillment in the days to come. This message from chapter 15 of John's gospel encourages all Disciples of Christ to remain connected to Christ.  As we do, we receive the life source of the Holy Spirit and find ourselves fulfilling His greatest commandment and His great commission as DEVOTED, LOVING, GENEROUS AND CONTAGIOUS expressions of Jesus Christ.  

John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

 

Devoted - “Roots” (our secret life of worship and honor to God)

Loving - “Trunk & Branches” (expressions that reflect our worship and kingdom values)

Generous - “Leaves/Fruit” (gifts of grace that stem from our abundant source in Christ)

Contagious - “Seeds & Seedlings” (reproducing the life of Christ in others)

 

Christmas Eve Service 2011

On Christmas Day, our Creator and Redeemer broke through His own 400 years of silence since His last words spoken through the prophet Malachi.  He also broke through the darkness of mankind’s arrogant and selfish ways with a loving message and hope-filled path by way of His one and only Son, Jesus. 

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”  John 8:12

“If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.”  John 12:44-46

 

Listen along as Pastor Dusty brings a message regarding the beautiful and timeless expression of love made available by the arrival of Christ Jesus.  God made a way for us to comprehend His love, receive His love and even participate in His Kingdom of love.  He is the source of true unconditional love and Christmastime is the celebration of when this agape love came down and was made available for us to both receive and give away.

1 John 4:12-16
12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.