Connectcalgary

It's a new year and you are probably hoping 2019 will be your best year yet. But let's be real - it will likely be full of the same ups and downs that every year brings. The good news is that God can use every highlight and every low point if we let Him. In the final message of 2018, pastor Dan shares what it really takes to have a fresh start in 2019.

When we typically picture the first nativity scene, everything is clean and postcard perfect. But in reality, the first Christmas was a mess! And that's good news, because Christmas is often still a mess! Join us for a holiday reminder that God sees everything we have going on, and loves us still.

Christmas is supposed to be a time of celebration and joy, but let's be real - as often as not, it gets ruined by ugly attitudes, words and behaviors. (And if we were to get REALLY honest, we could admit that sometimes we are actually the culprit). How do you deal with difficult people and situations around Christmas? Heck - how do you deal with those things throughout the entire year? Jesus gives us the answer in John 13. His words are so powerful that if you put them into practice, none of your relationships will ever be the same again!

There is only one place in the entire Bible in which God explicitly invites us to put Him to the test. Why does He do it? Because if we test Him in this thing, we learn we can trust Him with anything. Pastor Dan lays it all out in this week's message.

Ever had something stolen from you? How about a favourite possession that eventually broke? If so, you know how temporary earthly treasures really are. Thankfully, Jesus tells us how to store up treasures that we can enjoy forever.

You've heard it before: "The church is just after people's money." And it's true, some church leaders have abused Jesus' teachings on giving (we talk about some of them in this week's message). But, that doesn't mean we get to ignore the things He said on the subject. Join us as we discover why is it is truly "more blessed to give than to receive."

It's easy to wander into financial debt, but it is hard to get out. To become debt-free, you'll need a prayer and a plan - and thankfully the Bible gives us both! This week's message is an honest conversation about the weight of financial stress, and how you can be free from it sooner than you realize!

Let's be honest: Our desire for newer, nicer and more expensive things never goes away. In fact, the uncomfortable truth is that the more stuff I have, the more stuff I want. This is why the Bible calls us to have a different relationship with our money and our possessions; we take "one handful" for ourselves and leave one handful empty so we can help an serve those around us. This way of living is truly radical, and it is truly satisfying!

God's done some big things at Connect Church in the last 12 months, but they are nothing compared to what He wants to do over the next year. Join us as we celebrate and strategize what's next for Connect!

There are certain things that prayer ALWAYS brings about in your life. In this episode, Pastor Dan explains why you should commit to regular prayer, even if you aren't a Christian.

Why do so many of us feel like prayer is a chore? Pastor Dan thinks the reason you don't enjoy praying is because you are saying prayers that are too safe, and frankly, a little boring. If God is capable of doing "infinitely more than we could think or ask," (Ephesians 3:20) why do we settle for asking Him for small things? Using the parable of the desperate widow, this week's message is a challenge to start praying with audacity and tenacity!

Has it ever occurred to you that nobody is born knowing how to pray? It's something each of us has to learn how to do over time. If you've ever wanted to jumpstart your own conversations with God, pastor Dan tells you how in this week's message!

Prayer is an important part of following Jesus. But many of us have questions about prayer - Am I doing right? How do I know God hears me? Why should I bother if it seems like God often says, "No"? In this week's message, pastor Dan shows why prayer doesn't have to be as complicated as we often think it is. Whether you've been praying for years or you are a total novice, this message will help ignite a passion to talk to God.

Patience is often defined as "waiting without complaining." But when you search the Bible, you find that patience is much more than that - properly understood, it's a confidence that can see you through both mild inconveniences and long seasons of frustration. If you ever struggle with impatience, this week's message can re-frame your situation and help you see what's going on just beneath the surface.

Anxiety is a normal emotion, and sometimes it becomes a disorder. What's the difference between the two? And what does the Bible say on the subject - is it a sin? This week Joshua MacDonald opens up about his own anxiety disorder and how his faith has been affected and affirmed through his diagnosis. Even if you don't often struggle with anxiety, his words will help you find the "peace of God that passes all understanding."

We've all seen the destructive power of anger. But did you know that anger has the power to build as well? In fact, many people are surprised to hear that God commands His followers to be angry in Ephesians 4 - but to be angry about the right things in the right ways. Pastor Dan breaks down the difference between healthy and unhealthy anger in this week's message.

The Bible almost never speaks about happiness, but it talks a lot about JOY. Knowing the difference between the two can make a huge impact in your life.

in October 2018, Canada is legalizing recreational marijuana. Many Christians are wondering if there is ever a time in which they should partake. In this week's message, we examine what the Bible has to say on the subject of pot, and discover a series of questions that can help in any situation in which you are wondering, "As a Christian, can I _______?"

Ever feel like you're living a "crowded loneliness?" Like you are surrounded by lots of people, but not really known by any of them? Perhaps you don't need more relationships, but better ones. In this week's message, pastor Dan shares how to rediscover the Beauty of Community in a world of shallow friendships.

Many people find peace in nature. We may even experience God's presence in places of quiet and solitude. But that peace seems to last only as long as our vacation does: The moment we have to return to the regular hustle of life, we once again feel stressed out and overwhelmed. Which begs the question: Is there a peace that doesn't require a drive to the mountains? Is there an assurance that will last around the clock, instead of only on the weekends? The Bible seems to indicate there is. Join us for a conversation about finding a peace that lasts.