Mill Creek Church

The principle of the path states that direction, not intention, determines destination. The direction of our life matters. Equally important are the relationships of our lives. If the people around us are moving in the opposite direction we know we want to go, it will be next to impossible to follow the right direction. Scripture warns us to be careful about who we are inviting into our lives and families.

The best way to predict your future is to pay attention to where you’re headed. But sometimes it’s easy to get distracted by what’s on the path. The appeal of money, acceptance, or security can lower your defenses and lead you away from the path you want to be on. How do we change course when we realize we’ve chosen a path that leads us to what’s appealing instead of what’s ultimately satisfying?

Direction determines destination. But what is it that influences direction? What is it that starts us on our course, either for the places we want to go or the destinations we'd rather avoid? If we could determine what this is, then we could change our course upstream and save ourselves a lot of time, money, and heartache. Discover what this is and how you leverage it to reach the destinations God desires for you.

What is the key to making great decisions? Most people would likely agree that having the right information is crucial to making decisions. But while information is very important, it is not the most critical factor in guaranteeing you make the right choice. In fact, if you think about it, you know some really smart people who have made really dumb decisions. So what is?

We've all ended up places we never meant to be--where life was complicated and there were seemingly no good options. And looking back we saw the warning signs. We just chose to ignore them. But it doesn't have to be that way. By looking back at an old wisdom saying we'll learn to look ahead and avoid the danger the lies in wait for us down the road.

We’re all going to end up somewhere in life, but often there’s a disconnect between where we want to end up and the paths we choose. So how can we avoid choosing a path that’s guaranteed to get us where we don’t want to be?

Observing the life of Jesus finds a man of deep compassion and generosity. One also finds laser focus and purpose in that compassion. Our world is full of problems but we can't solve them all. Instead of drawing back or growing apathetic, maybe we should do for one what we wish we could do for everyone? And if all followers of Jesus did that...??

Sometimes it helps to know the "why" of an organization or program. Why do we do what we do? Why do we value these things? As Mill Creek enters into an important season of ministry, we pull back the curtain a bit to help you see why these ministry opportunities matter so much to us.

Often times the difficult and scary parts of life reveal how we view or think of God. Is God our refuge? Is he our hiding place? Do I run to God when life gets hard or away from him? Psalm 46 reveals some powerful promises of who God is that can help us when life feels overwhelming.

Sometimes in life, we can be in the most crowded room and yet feel alone. We love our spouse and our kids but it feels like we are doing it by ourselves. We are in full church services but it feels like we are the only ones in the battle. The promise of a well known Psalm can help us know that we are never alone.

Worship is a confusing and sometimes hotly discussed item around church. Is it possible that stems from a lack of understanding of what worship is and isn't? At its core, worship is the collection of our actions and attitudes that puts God at the center of our lives. The reason I can do that is spelled out clearly in Psalm 100.

Some of our most treasured items might not mean much to most people, but because they are family heirlooms or hold important memories, they are valuable to us. Psalm 78 challenges us on the legacy of our lives. What are we leaving for our children? What truths are we transmitting? Maybe some of the most valuable things we can leave aren't things but truth.

One of life's earliest lessons is how unfair it can be. When we make a decision of faith, the promise of Scripture is how much God will bless and provide for us. Yet that theory can often be tested by what we actually experience. People far from God succeeding while we struggle. Expressing those doubts are not new as we discover together in Psalm 73.

There are many common themes and ideas taught about and sung about in churches around the world. Love - Grace - Salvation. Sometimes we lose sight of their power, of how meaningful those words can be. Or we think we are the exception - God couldn't offer me that grace. The writer of Psalm 103 encourages us to understand the depth of God's love and grace for us - it has no limit!

Do you remember the times growing up when you would dream about what you would be? As kids, most people aren't afraid to dream. But life happens, life gets hard. Do you dream? Or are you just surviving? Do you know that God has created you for significance? Do you dream God-sized dreams?

It can be hard to be honest with ourselves, especially in the painful and discouraging seasons of life. But the hope we find in the Psalms is that God can handle our honesty. We can worship in pain and even though we might not feel like it, we can find encouragement in worship.

What creates awe for you? Visiting the Grand Canyon? Holding a newborn baby? Seeing your favorite team win the championship? In Psalm 145 we discover what it means to live in awe of God and are reminded how important it is to help others experience the awe of God.

Anyone willing to take the step of following Jesus through faith will eventually find themselves in the dark valley. Some writers call it the "dark night of the soul". Where do we find God in the midst of those seasons? Seasons of disappointment in God, even feelings of abandonment. Psalm 13 helps us learn the path of rediscovering the presence of God even when darkness is all around.

One thing we can learn by praying the Psalms is how honest and emotional people are with God. We can often view faith like a box. Everything fits in nice and neat. But what about those unplanned, unexpected moments? When God doesn't fit into our box? Maybe even when God seems hidden? How do we react?

Training is a part of life. A new job or new skill requires it. Trying to run a marathon or even 5K for the first time, training is necessary. What about training for life? The book of Psalms provides the prayers of God's people in all their emotions. It helps us understand the deeper parts of life and how much God is involved with us. Join us this summer as we explore the Psalms.