Category Archives: Skyline Church

Jul28

Being Culture Changers

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Today, one of our pastors, Pastor Scott, spoke about being culture changers in a world where people generally care more about themselves, and those in their own direct sphere of influence. Being bold isn’t always a characteristic of importance to many people.

One question that continues to resonate with me is simply “What is at the top of your priority list?” Whatever that is – that is what your character will show. Do you care enough to be more than just a fan? Are you willing to get real – to get in the game?

Have we opened up our hearts and minds, and decided to be bold in the way we love people? Whether you attend this church or not, I encourage you to reach out and ask. Invite people to your church. Let them know you care.

If you are not part of a church family somewhere, I encourage you to find one. Get connected. Allow God’s love to infuse your life. Be challenged. BE the difference.

Well you be a part of something that will make a difference in lives around you?

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Apr7

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Heavy Bag Series: The Heavy Bag Of Grief

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Right now, Skyline Church is in the midst of a series entitled “Heavy Bag.” This series is in place to discuss all the heavy things we all face. The timing of this particular message was absolutely God inspired for me, and – I’m sure – for countless others. Today, Pastor Lance spoke about the Heavy Bag of Grief. At some point in your life, you can probably relate to the feelings of grief. I know I can. Especially this week. I have experienced loss on several levels, and I can tell you this message really hit home.

If you have lost someone, said goodbye too early, or are just hurting in ways hard to put into words – this is for you. I encourage you to watch it, and allow the words to share hope.

I am grateful for this series.

Mar17

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Ability To Love Our Enemies

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Today was definitely convicting. The message at Skyline today made us look internally and ask some pretty intense, and important questions. One such question just asks if we are living such a way that we are known for the way we love? Is your life so different that people will be prompted to ask why you are different? Is that difference one that will share hope, grace and love with others?

I encourage you today to live life in such a way that you will make a difference in the lives of anyone you come across – family, those you call friends, and – GASP – those you aren’t so fond of. Forgive. Love recklessly – through the differences.

Mar10

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Reckless Ones – Part 3

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So today, like each week at Skyline, proved to be motivating and convicting. The message today was a continuation of the Reckless Ones series – where we dig deeper and learn how to love like Jesus loved. Does your behavior, and do your words reflect Jesus? Do your actions show love? What we say is a reflection of what’s in our heart. Allow God, today, to do a work in your heart. Pay attention to the words coming out of your mouth – even the tone you are speaking with. Our words can build up, or they can tear down…it’s important to keep in mind how you would feel if the conversation were reversed.

Let’s strive to live and love as Jesus loved – continuing to love recklessly.

Here is a video of today’s service. I encourage you to take a few moments and watch.

Mar7

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Changing Mindset

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The topic today is pretty personal, but one I would imagine many people deal, even struggle with. It is with that thought process that I would like to share a pretty neat experience I had today.

Let me back up for a moment. As I have been sharing, our church is doing a series that talks about loving recklessly – learning to love as Jesus loved. It conquers the idea of an us vs. them complex. In said scenario, no one is perfect – with the only exception being Jesus. So, with that said, it is His commandment that we love one another.

I’ll be the first to tell you – this is NOT always an easy feat.

I will now fast forward to today, with a brief background. The objective – show God’s love. To everyone. Yes, everyone – even those not easy to love. Check.

If you are anything like me, there are probably a few different “kinds” of people you probably find yourself with disdain, as opposed to love for. Yes? I will be the first to raise my hand. But, thank God, this mindset of mine is changing. Through God working in my heart, I’m learning to see people and situations differently – through His eyes.

Let’s explore this for a second. Love how Jesus loves. How do we know how Jesus loves? It’s simple. He does. Period. He loves people simply because they are people. He has a crazy unconditional love for us. As human beings, will we always be able to love like this? Not highly likely. Should we try? Absolutely, without a doubt.

Okay, so today.

As I was out and about running errands, the individual behind the cash register was some I would have once been very inclined to say something (in my head) like, “it’s another [insert stereotypical, and likely judgmental classification here]– gosh, they’re everywhere!” I’d probably have some other mental thought process going on, and it wouldn’t have been nice. Like I said, God’s working on my heart in this (and many) area(s).

Today, however, was different. I saw this individual and had compassion. I smiled and was friendly. I had that initial “it’s another [PERSON TO LOVE]” thought. I did not see them as a negative member of society. Instead, I saw them as another person to love. I didn’t do anything super spiritual. I didn’t go above and beyond. I just carried on pleasant conversation, and I allowed walls in my own heart to crumble. I was kind to this person (not that I’d ever have been mean) and I did what I could in a short amount of time to just not judge and to show love.

I hope you’ll join me on this mission of loving people recklessly – even those who are hard to love. It isn’t always going to be easy, but it IS always going to be worth it.

That, my friends, is what I am grateful for today. I’m grateful to see these small, yet huge, changes going on inside me.

Mar3

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Other Side (The Reckless Ones, Part 2)

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Today my heart continues be overwhelmed by and with love. Today, the message at Skyline was deep. It wasn’t your everyday message on love and grace…though that’s what it was ultimately about. Today, Pastor Scott spoke in a little more detail about being a reckless lover.

Let’s talk for a moment about loving people like Jesus loved people. After all, isn’t that our mission as believers? Sounds easy enough, right? I’d like to do something Pastor Scott did today – challenge you to think outside the box. We strive to be like Jesus, and love like He loved. That isn’t, however, easy.

Jesus loved the seemingly unlovable. He loved people – all people….even those hard to love. I encourage you to watch today’s video with an open mind, and a heart of love. Ask God to show you how to love like He loved – and to make a difference. Let’s let those who aren’t familiar with Jesus know us by how we love, and not how we hate, nor all the things we stand against. Let’s strive to love like Jesus loved, and be Reckless Ones. Allow this message to challenge your thinking, and help you go more than just skin deep. Love people.

Feb25

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Reckless Ones – Part 1

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As I mentioned yesterday, Skyline has just started a new series entitled “The Reckless Ones” and this week was the first installment. This is the message entitled, “Above All Else” — I encourage you to watch this video. Pastor Lance speaks about the character and heart of the early church. He shares about the vital nature and sheer importance of love.

If you are someone, or you know of anyone who has been hurt, who has lost faith in Christianity, or who just needs to be loved simply because they are alive – this is for you. Please take a moment to watch and also share. I’d love to see the heart of the message contained in the video spread like wildfire. If our city / community / state / Nation were to grab hold of this concept, our lives would look very different. Let’s strive to be the change. Love like Jesus loved.

Feb24

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful To Know So Many Reckless Ones

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That’s right. Reckless. Are you a reckless one? In this context, you should aim to be! Skyline Church started a new series entitled, “The Reckless Ones” and I must say I’m very excited to be at a place full of so many reckless ones. It was the early church that took this concept and ran with it. They were reckless in the way that they loved. They cared enough about people – all people – to reach out to them – right where they were…without regard to their own personal safety at times. They let love lead the way. Their actions centered around this concept that love was and is the most important thing.

May I learn to be more like the reckless ones of the early church. In the process of attempting to be more like Jesus, and love like He loved – I’m grateful to be surrounded by so many reckless ones in and around Skyline Church.

Feb12

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For Connection Groups

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I have mentioned Connection Groups before, but it is time to talk about them again. Our church breaks the year up into “semesters” and has three separate semesters of Connection Groups each year. Our last semester led right up towards Christmas, with a break following that. I should add that I am a patient person, but not as fond of waiting in between semesters! I said all of that to say this – I’m very excited because our new semester starts this evening!

To better explain, Connection Groups are small groups that meet at someone’s home during the week. We get together for snacks, fellowship and to discuss the semester’s topic. Put simply, we get together and do life together outside the four walls of our church. We actively engage amongst each other, and within our community. It is our goal to love God, love others, and to make a difference.

I will have to write again as a follow up after our meeting this evening. I think it should suffice it to say – I’m excited!

*******Edited to Add a few thoughts about the group tonight*******

Wow. I am speechless. Well, okay, maybe not. But, I am blown away by God’s love, as displayed through His people. When I walked into our Connection Group, I was so very excited. I think the first thing I said was, “Wow! Look at all the new faces!” I saw several people that I did not know – or had only seen in passing. It wasn’t a long meeting, but enough time to briefly tell a few things about who we are, etc. We are going to be studying Romans – the Letter that changed the world. It caught my eye right away. We haven’t gotten very far into the lessons at all yet, but I’m excited to start. What we have started has stirred something in me, making me want to learn more. What I really love about our Connection Group is the ability we all seemed to have to share with transparency. I cannot wait to watch as the rest of this semester unfolds.

Feb10

365 Moments Of Gratitude – Thankful For The Helmet Of Salvation

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You know what? I am thankful for a God that loves us enough to equip us with such amazing armor and weapons to be able to not only face, but also defeat the enemy! Today’s church service was entitled: SWAT: The Helmet Of Salvation.