From Bitter to Sweet

Contributed by:
Staci Overbeck
ministry assistant

What if your blessings
come through raindrops?
What if your healing
comes through tears?
What if a 1000 sleepless nights
are what it takes
to know you’re near?
What if trials in this life
are your mercies in disguise?

Blessings

Laura Story

Q: Faith and Science

Contributed by:
Tyler Ward
spiritual formation pastor

For many people, science and faith represent two opposite ends of a spectrum, and you can only choose one or the other. Is it possible that science and faith are not necessarily at odds, though? Rather than rejecting God -his existence and the truth that he's revealed to us - could science, instead, somehow support that he is real and is up to something absolutely amazing?

The Missing Piece

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

One summer I preached a sermon on community (something I should be apt to do, given my role at PCC). Following our Saturday service, I grilled Amanda with the usual questions, leading off with, "So how was it?" Her response was, "Well...I'm not sure." That's not a good sign. I protested, "How could you betray me like this!" (not really) Her response actually confirmed something I was already feeling: something was missing.

You Are Important

Contributed by:
Staci Overbeck
ministry assistant

Have you ever taken a moment to wonder what a difference you make at PCC? When my family started attending Pathway, the average Sunday attendance was around 500, and we thought that was a large church. Now that the weekend attendance is around 3,000, it would be easy to fall into the mindset that one person really doesn’t make that much of a difference.

God Is In My Battle

Contributed by:
Becky Johnson
women's life director

In the last few weeks, we’ve been in the midst of a great series entitled “Unshakable”. We’ve learned that when we find ourselves in the middle of circumstances that leave us feeling shaken, God is Unshakable. In our world today, it’s easy to feel shaken.

Q: Tactics

Contributed by:
Tyler Ward
spiritual formation pastor

We read in 1 Peter 3:15 that we should always be ready to give an answer regarding the reason for the hope that we have. I believe that when we share our answers with others, though, that we are to do it in a way that is confident and competent, but also humble and loving. If our knowledge and understanding only lead to arrogance, division, and winning debates, we may actually be moving backward instead of forward. We may actually miss the point of what God desires for us in this.

"W" #6: Leaders Reproducing Leaders

Contributed by:
Eric Dunaway
small groups pastor

Someone once told me I could make quite a healthy sum of money, with very little effort, by simply starting my own business. That's only the first part of it. To make it really easy, and lucrative, I have to get other people to sign up and start their own businesses under mine. You've probably heard about these - they're called pyramid schemes. Have you ever considered that Jesus was a master at the pyramid scheme?

Q: The Problem of Suffering and Evil

Contributed by:
Tyler Ward
spiritual formation pastor

One of the most challenging questions that we face in this life relates to the problem of suffering and evil. If our God is good, and if our God is all-powerful - and can do anything, then why do we have all of the suffering and evil that we see in our world. Why doesn't God do something about it?

Inner Healing

Contributed by:
Natalie Ward
care ministries director

What happens when we anticipate and we expect, but we are just met with frustration? What happens when we allow our circumstances to define us?

We can allow BITTERNESS to take root.

So what do we do with our bitterness?
Sometimes we attempt to take it on ourselves and become determined to solve it or control it - only to wind up wasting time, destroying and distracting ourselves, and then planting seeds of bitterness in others.

Q: Questions. Answers. Conversations...

Contributed by:
Tyler Ward
spiritual formation pastor

In June, we're beginning a new series here at Pathway called "Q." For this series, we're bringing in the experts to help us take on some of life's most challenging questions. Check out the promotional video below...and be sure to visit our website to find out more information.