Open Ended Podcast-Deeper than the Sunday Sermon

5 Tips on How to Deal with Critical People

How do you hear God's voice?

Are you your greatest enemy?

In this episode, we unpack the sermon given by Pastor Joe Parks on Sunday, March 17, 2024. You can access the sermon here:    • Dying for the Cause | Joe Parks  
Some questions we attempt to answer:
How we do distinguish between the concept of "self" vs. the "you" that God created? Which one needs to die in order for us to thrive in our God-given purpose?
Pastor Joe says to focus more on being controlled by the Spirit than self-control. But self control is a fruit of the Spirit, so how do we walk this out while still pursing God (and not "self")?
Is there a right way to pray? (Do I need to look down or up? Close my eyes? Be on my knees?) Where do we learn these religious and legalistic ideas?
How does deconstruction (versus "reconstruction") impact our walk with God?
Important points to remember:
"Self" thrives in the absence of God (which is why we need to die to self)
Purpose is found in the Presence of the Father
The fruit of the spirit are not characterists that you develop. Only God does that.
Fruit comes OUT from the purpose God gives you
Judgement and being critical against others can hide itself in hyper-spirituality
DEconstruction peels away everything, REconstruction is healthy
Email us at openended@eurekafaithcenter.org and comment below! We want to hear from you. Thank you for listening and watching!

Are you after your own dreams and ambitions? (Or are you seeking something bigger?)

Thank you for joining us for the Open Ended Podcast! Your hosts, Mike and Meg, have Pastor Joe on to talk about the cause of Christ. Let us know what impacted you from this episode in the comments below!

How do I let God in when He's knocking? | Pastor Joe Chambers

Welcome back to the Open Ended Podcast, where we go deeper than the Sunday sermon. This episode's guest is Joe Chambers—pastor, counselor, and author from Colorado—who recently spent four days in a row at Faith Center for Soul Care Renewal, where he shared wisdom about the healing principles of God with our community. In this episode, we discuss the following topics... - the "father wound" we all have and how it affects our view of God's love - how we tend to wear our busy schedules as a badge of honor - what being "vexed in spirit" means and how to steer clear of it - learning to slow down and "find the doorknob" when God is knocking Slow down and have a listen! Then tell us what you have to add to the conversation in the comments... The Sunday sermon we are referring to (in addition to the evening Soul Care Renewal sessions that Pastor Joe Chambers hosted) is called "The Cure for Soul Fatigue" (from February 18) and is linked here: https://youtu.be/0z3evEJ0NWY?feature=shared Thank you for joining us!

Would you walk into the fire? Pastor Cathleen talks about standing firm.

Your hosts, Mike and Meg, are back for another episode where we go deeper than the Sunday sermon—this time with Pastor Cathleen Parks! In her message on February 4, 2024, Cathleen focused on what it can look like to STAND FIRM. Drawing from the book of Daniel in the Bible, we unpack chapter 3 in this episode, which lays out the experience of Daniel's friends (named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego by King Nebuchadnezzar) who refused to bow to a golden idol that the king made of himself.
 
We discuss what global issues Christians are faced with standing firm about, and what it looks like to stand firm IN LOVE. Some topics discussed: abortion, living together and relations pre-marriage, examples and testimonies of "standing firm," and a rundown on Daniel 3.
The Sunday sermon we are referencing—titled "Standing Firm" by Pastor Cathleen Parks—is linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF8TTqz_c4U&t=0s
Thanks for being here!
Keywords: Daniel 3, Bible, faith, courage, God, miracles, fiery furnace, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Christianity, religion, podcast, YouTube

Is pride a sin? Was this king destined for downfall? Let's talk Daniel 4

Guest: Joe Parks, Lead Pastor at Faith Center Foursquare Church (Eureka, CA)
Hosts: Mike Crafton & Meg Ruiz
Topic: Setting vs. Reflecting Culture, The Daniel Dilemma, Spiritual Leadership
Key Points:
The episode delves into the concept of setting vs. reflecting culture, drawing inspiration from the story of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible.
It emphasizes the importance of discernment and spiritual guidance in navigating cultural influences and living a Christ-centered life.
The discussion explores the dangers of over-salting, both in the literal sense and in the context of religious zeal.
Moderation and humility are highlighted as essential qualities for Christian leaders and individuals.
The episode references Pastor Chris Ortiz's book "The Daniel Dilemma" for further exploration.
Memorable Quotes:
"Are you going to reflect or are you going to sit wherever you are and everything that you do?"
"We see that in culture, but we see it in the church, the over salting...Man, we're not about that."
"You have to be spirit led. It goes back to your last episode of the battle that we're in. Well, how do I know what the right amount is? You will only know through discernment, right?"
"Number one, ministry homeless. Number one, if it's just like a may where it's just her and her husband or you would just you and your wife or me if I had, you know, I had two kids growing up."
Possible Discussion Prompts:
How can we be aware of and navigate the cultural influences around us?
What does it mean to be a "thermostat" vs. a "thermometer" in our communities?
How can we avoid extremes and find balance in our faith and actions?
What are some practical ways to apply the lessons from Daniel's story to our lives?

From Darkness to Daylight: A Survivor's Guide to Navigating Spiritual Attacks ✝️

Have you ever felt like you're under attack? ️
Not physically, but spiritually?
You're not alone. In this episode of Open Ended Podcast, Meg and Mike get real about the struggles of facing spiritual attacks and how to overcome them with the power of faith. They'll discuss: What are spiritual attacks, and how do they manifest? Why do Christians face these challenges? Practical tips for standing firm in your faith when under attack. The importance of community and prayer in spiritual warfare. ⛪ Encouraging stories of victory over spiritual darkness. ✨ Whether you're a seasoned believer or just starting your faith journey, this episode is for you. Tune in and discover how to: Recognize the enemy's tactics. Put on the armor of God. ⚔️ Fight the good fight with faith and hope. Click play and join the battle for your spiritual freedom! Bonus: Share your own experiences with spiritual attacks in the comments below. Together, we can encourage and support one another in our walk with Christ. P.S. Don't forget to subscribe for more faith-based conversations that will equip you to live a victorious life in Christ!

Meet your Hosts of the Open Ended Podcast

Welcome to the Open Ended podcast, where we dive Deeper Than the Sunday Sermon and explore the questions that often go unasked. I'm Mike, and I'm Meg, and we are your hosts, and we are thrilled to embark on this journey of faith, reflection, and authenticity with you.
In this inaugural episode, we peel back the layers and share the mission behind Open Ended. This isn't your typical Sunday discussion; we're here to tackle the hard questions, the ones that make us pause and dig deep into the core of our beliefs.
 It's a raw and unfiltered conversation that sets the tone for what's to come.
Join us as we navigate through the uncharted territories of spirituality, challenge traditional narratives, and invite you to be part of the conversation. Subscribe, share, and let's explore the uncharted waters of faith together.
Get ready for Open Ended - because sometimes, the answers are found in the questions we're afraid to ask.