All Things New with Jeff Ackenback

One of...however many I do...bonus episodes. (Recorded live in an apartment with no studio audience...well, except Stevie)

A series of things that go bump in the night...and their Biblical foundations.

An actual recorded case of a ghost...in the Bible.

I say things that hopefully form a cohesive message. Only you can decide!

No matter what you are working on in your life, it's important to recognize that there will be ups and downs. Do your best to remember the ups during the downs, and always remember that there's no shame in asking for help.

My message from the Sunday, August 22 contemporary service.

Always keep fighting. No matter how bad things, get, remember that you are not alone...that you are worth the fight.

We live in a world where a lot is based on appearances, and that can impact not just our self image, but also our faith, our confidence...everything. It's a hard process, but it starts with asking for help, with learning to put your identity not in the opinions of others, but in your faith...and in doing your best to begin giving yourself grace.

We've talked a lot about wisdom, but it's something that we always should focus on, at least in terms of growing in it. In our lives, we'll be faced with a lot of situations and decisions where our impulse is to react poorly or even panic...but the first step to "wising up" is to stop and think, work through things...and understand that if you're doing your best, you'll be doing everything you can.

In a world where people have a public face, a private face, a Church face, etc...it's tempting to give in and do what everyone else does. However, it's on us to be better, to move past hypocrisy...to be examples.

You always carry an infinite number of possibilities for how you react, what you choose...who you are. Always do your best, love others, treat others as you'd want to be treated. Be you, no matter what others say.

No matter how long you live or how much you earn, it will never feel like you have enough money or time. However, if you use your time and resources to help others, to be an example, to make a difference...you'll find that the "never enough" feeling takes on a more positive, hopeful light.

For us, the parable of the three servants/talents seems a little odd. The point isn't in the amount each servant got, though, but in how much of themselves they gave. We aren't always going to be as successful as we'd like, especially when compared to others, but if we do our best...if we show love, seek peace, and live on hope...then that's going to make a difference.

My sermon from the July 4 Traditional service.

My sermon from the July 4 contemporary service.

Treat others as you want to be treated, not as you are treated. Love everyone unconditionally.

Reflect who you really are at all times, because it will eventually come out. Do your best, be real...be genuine.

Have people around you who will help you find the right path for you...not the one that is easiest or most fun. Remember, you don't know everything...so always seek the best route.

In the age of information, it's very easy to gain knowledge. However, with everything at our fingertips, it's sometimes even harder to grow in wisdom, to question what we see, to learn for ourselves. Wisdom is taking knowledge and learning how to use it, how to do the right thing, how to love God, to love others.

Having a good life, a strong faith...those are wonderful things, but the pride that can come with them should never become prejudice. We are here to help, to love others, not to shame them.

Community has taken on a new meaning, as many have found their home online. The important thing is not what you think in terms of texting vs. calling or online vs. in-person...but how you treat each other. Also, don't allow your community to become so shut off to the needs and opinions of others that you believe that yours is the only way to do things.

Know what you believe. Know who you are. Know that no one else can change that, so show them love no matter what...show them who you are, who you serve...help build a better world.

Loving people isn't about turning them into clones of yourself. It's about listening, caring, and helping them in ways that improve their lives. When it does come to faith, it's not about proving yourself right...it's about discussing with reason, earnestly listening, and showing God's love no matter what.

It's tempting to love people how we think they should be loved, but our calling is to love everyone unconditionally...to care about others, not just pretend to care.

Jesus told the disciples they would be his witnesses, knowing that how the world saw him would be how they knew (or didn't know) him. The same can be said for us today. As things begin to return to a semblance of normal, keep in mind that we can be better than before...in how we treat others, how we live...how we love.

We are known not by our words but our actions and how we treat others. Don't make things so difficult for someone else that it pushes them away...instead show love, understanding...find common ground. Meet them where they are, don't try to force them where you are.

Treat people like you want to be treated. Love people like you want to be loved. Listen, speak, HEAR, people like you want to be done to you.

We are known not by our words but our actions and how we treat others. Don't make things so difficult for someone else that it pushes them away...instead show love, understanding...find common ground. Meet them where they are, don't try to force them where you are.

The first thing Jesus said when reappearing to the disciples was "Peace be with you." Out of all the things he could say, he chose to call for peace. Do your best to live in peace, to live at peace....to seek peace.

When Jesus came back from the dead, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, a woman who (even more than other women at the time) was looked down upon and considered far less than reputable. To Jesus, though, she was, like all of us, enough and worth it. He didn't see what others said, he saw only her heart, who she was...and that stays true for all of us.

Regardless of what you think or don't think of Jesus, when he was facing the absolute worst physical and emotional pain imaginable, he still showed grace, love, and forgiveness for everyone...including those actively hating him. That's our example. That's how we should live.

No matter what you are going through, you are never alone. Always remember that and be willing to ask for/accept help.

One of the keys to the "trial" of Jesus before the high priests was the fact that they looked for evidence AFTER arresting him, and even then, when they couldn't find it, they hired people to lie. Yet Jesus still showed them love, still lived as hope, forgiveness, and grace...and calls us to do the same.

On the night he prayed in the garden, Jesus was betrayed by Judas...but also the other disciples. Whether it was an inability to stay awake for a few minutes or fighting like the world instead of like Jesus or running away...they broke his trust. Yet he never showed anger or regret at choosing them. Instead, he continued to show them (and us) a better way.

Communication is key in all relationships, but not just THAT you communicate. It's vital HOW you communicate, and I don't mean texting vs. talking vs. pony express. Treat others as you would want to be treated must also apply to "talk to others as you'd want to be talked to."

Trust can be fragile, and it can take time for others to earn it or earn it back. Being forgiving doesn't mean forgetting, but it does mean you do your best to live a life worthy of trust, no matter what.

It's crazy to say looks shouldn't matter, because in a way, they always will. However, it's important to remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, AND that any outer beauty should never make you compromise on that which is inside.

Respect for yourself, living with respect for others...they are definitely important things to do in life and in love. Respecting boundaries and opinions of others, as well as expecting that same respect for your own...also vital, but they can be so hard to live with on a day to day basis. This week, we will discuss all that and more. :)

Living in the middle never helps anyone...and it leads to a life of always looking over your shoulder. The wonderful thing about free will is that we all get to choose how we live, what we do...and how we treat others. Always do your best to choose to treat others with love, respect, and to love everyone.

You can live your entire life saying "I need to do this..." without ever starting. "I need to do better," "I need to help more," "I need to try..." Once you realize that, start right away. You won't feel ready, and you won't be who you will become...but starting is trying and trying is succeeding.

When you realize you've done something wrong, admit it. Don't blame others, even if they had a role...but take the blame, then accept the consequences, learn...and move forward...like David did, who did things far worse than any of us.

Be ready. Be like Jesus.

It is common (and easy) to always say, "Someone else can help...I need to work on myself," but it's far better to work on yourself AND help others.

Everything begins with a fresh start. :)

In the end, if you do your best to live a life loving God and others, there will be peace. In the meantime, do your best to bring that peace to your life and the lives of others through the way you treat them.

Carry the hope and love from Christmas all year, especially to others.

Cosmic Christmas is an extended version of the Christmas story, but told from the angel Gabriel's perspective.