Willow Creek Weekend Podcast

We’ve all experienced it: The pain of someone breaking a promise, not following through, or worse, abandoning or betraying you. And yet, Jesus tells us to not only love those who love us, but to love our enemy and pray for those who persecute us. Easier said than done! Albert Tate and Dave Dummitt break down the betrayal of Jesus that led to His death in Matthew 26 and unpack what the reality of His response means for you today.

We are conditioned to desire approval—from gold stars and minor-league trophies, to good grades and performance-based raises. But what happens when the pressure of approval becomes your main pursuit? Dave Dummitt and Shawn Williams explore Matthew 21 to see how Jesus remained anchored in who God said He was as he approached Jerusalem. Discover how reorienting our perspective to see how God views us frees us from seeking approval from others.

Megan Marshman shares her heartfelt journey through seven years of loss and grief. She explores the stages of grief, emphasizing vulnerability and the search for meaning. Megan discusses how embracing sorrow can lead to a deeper connection with God, revealing personal stories intertwined with scripture. She highlights the profound link between grief and hope, illustrating how faith can provide comfort and assurance of restoration. Her insights inspire listeners to honor their pain while finding hope for the future.

Depression comes in all forms and fashions, ranging from feeling sad or not feeling anything at all, to  life-threatening despair. Depression is real and often hidden, which is why it’s so important to talk about it and create space for others to, as well. We’ll learn about the clinical side of depression from Steve Cuss, then see how Scripture is filled with people who were utterly hopeless.  If you’re experiencing severe depression or suicidal thoughts, please know your life is valuable beyond measure. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 for immediate help. 

Have you ever felt anxious? Whether your worry comes from setting healthy boundaries or having a panic attack, we believe true self care is possible.  This week, Pastor & Anxiety Management Expert Steve Cuss unpacks anxiety, then Pastor Dave Dummit explores 2 Chronicles 20, Philippians 4, and Matthew 6 to discover how God can meet us in the midst.

What does generosity mean to you? Albert Tate joins us in our last week of the Life Hacks series, to talk about the Proverbs and what Scripture says about helping others.  God is very clear that He wants us to live generously to help each other, and to meet the needs of others. Generosity is not just a nice thing to do, generosity is the heart of God for us!

Money is one of the top sources of anxiety and relational strain, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Proverbs is full of practical wisdom that leads to financial freedom and good stewardship. Regardless of your financial state, learn how you can untangle from the stress and pressure our culture places on money.

Living a life with no regrets - is that possible?  It might seem impossible, and it’s certainly hard, but God has a plan and has always used all your experiences for good, even the ones we might regret now. So how do we move on, turning those regrets into positive changes that benefit us in the here and now?  Pastor Dave takes us through Proverbs 7, Psalm 143 and why it is beneficial to “enter through the narrow gate”, as Matthew 7:13-14 tells us.

What is a strong work ethic and why does God think it’s important, no matter what you do for work? Whether you are in your dream career or whether you are working just to pay the bills, every day when you go to work your job provides you a platform; a place to do ministry. This week we look at Proverbs 14 and Colossians 3, and discuss how to work well.

How to make friends as an adult and the wisdom God has given us in the Proverbs to help us meet new friends and be a good friend back. Yes, God is concerned with your relationships and wants to give you His best advice on how to make friends, and, specifically, good friends. God Himself declared, “It is not good for man to be alone”. Pastor Dave looks at Proverbs 6 and how this verse is packed with great advice for finding, and being, a good friend.