Tools for Resilience | Spiritual Companionship

Presented on 4/29/2018 at Curwensville Alliance by Pastor Steve Shields

Resilience is a personal trait that is undeniably necessary in a world that often seems to push people down.

God knows this, and so he provides his people with tools that facilitate resilience. One such tool is that of Spiritual Companionship.

This podcast looks at two spiritual companions, Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, and encourages us to develop the same kinds of relationships so that we can be resilient.

Tools for Resilience | Your Tool Pouch

Presented at Curwensville Alliance by Pastor Steve Shields on 4/22/2018

Do you bounce back or do you fall back?

We’ve all noticed how when some face adversity they seem to bounce back, while others facing the same situation seem to fall back.

What makes the difference?

Part of the answer is resilience.

This podcast serves as an overview to a new series at Curwensville Alliance — Tools for Resilience.

 

Lies Even Seasoned Christians Can Believe – Avoid Suffering at All Costs!

Presented by Pastor Steve Shields at Curwensville Alliance Church on 4/15/2018

An aged saint lay in the nursing home, unable to get out of bed. The end of her journey on this earth was coming to a close.

She was a matriarch in our church. She taught people about Jesus since her teen years. She prayed faithfully for those who had needs. She loved and was loved.

She was a woman of faith.

But this day, that faith seemed to waiver.

I’ll never forget her words

“I never thought it would come to this.”

She’s not alone.

I’ve heard many saints make the same remark when they encounter suffering — of many kinds.

We tend to react in the exact way Peter told us not to react.

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV2011) 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 

This podcast speaks of the value of suffering — and how to get the most out of it that you can.

Lies Even Seasoned Can Christians Believe – You Are Unimportant

Presented at Curwensville Alliance on 4/8/2018 by Pastor Steve Shields

In researching this message, I read a story of a gem dealer who found a real treasure. (As it turns out, the story isn’t what it seems, but it’s a great story.)

So, this gem dealer was strolling through the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show when he noticed a large bluish colored stone the size of a potato.

He looked it over and asked the vendor how much he wanted for it.
The man said he was trying to get $15.00 for it, but he let it go for $10.00.

Shortly afterwards, the stone was certified as a 1,905-carat natural star sapphire.

Appraised at $2.28 million.

I’m guessing that the seller felt pretty foolish. We might say that he wouldn’t know a treasure if he held it in his hand.

It took a lover of stones to recognize the worth of the sapphire.

And it takes the Lover of Souls to recognize the true value of people like you and me.

And those who don’t see the it – they wouldn’t know a treasure if they held it in their hand. I might look at you or you might look at me and miss the incredible value we have. But Jesus, lover of our souls, sees you and me as treasures.

You see that throughout the Scripture.

You see it in today’s Podcast.

EASTER: Are You Really Living?

Presented on 4/1/2018, Easter Sunday, at Curwensville Alliance Church by Pastor Steve Shields

Have you ever wondered if you’re really living? Do you ask yourself, “Is this all there is to life?”

Everyone does that from time to time. But if you do it frequently, then you might not want to ignore that question.

Jesus says that he came that we might have life — and have it to the full.

This podcast speaks on how we can experience real life — through Christ.