Liquid Church with Pastor Tim Lucas

Gifts can say a lot about how well we know the recipient. After all, it’s no easy task to find the perfect gift for an acquaintance you just met or distant relatives you hardly ever see. But when you truly understand who someone is, you can offer a meaningful gift they’ll actually appreciate. So, how well did the wise men really know Jesus? They traveled quite a distance to give him their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But were their presents the equivalent of a modern day gift card? Or were they more significant? As Christmas draws near, what kinds of gifts does Jesus value from us? Listen in as Pastor Tim explores the surprising meaning behind the gold, frankincense, and myrrh and find out what the Magi knew that first Christmas that wise men still know today. Part 3 of “Rediscovering the Nativity.” www.LiquidChurch.com pastortim@liquidchurch.com

Everybody hurts. When Joseph learns his fiancé is pregnant with a child that isn’t his, he could have focused on his public humiliation and heartbreak. But instead of seeking payback for his pain, Joseph takes another route. In Matthew 1, we glimpse two qualities within this seemingly ordinary teenage boy that reveal exactly why God hand selected him to serve as Jesus’ earthly father. Listen in as Pastor Tim explores Joseph’s role in the Nativity story, and find out how his inner character reflects God’s heart for His people. Part 2 of the message series “Rediscovering the Nativity.” www.LiquidChurch.com pastortim@liquidchurch.com

There’s something about Mary. Or at least God thought so when He chose her to give birth to Jesus and launch His plan of redemption for the world. Why Mary? Young, poor, female, oppressed -- she had every strike against her. But in Luke 1, we learn a secret about her inner qualities that capture God's attention. Like Mary, we may feel insignificant. But if God can use an unmarried pregnant teen for an epic purpose, why not you? Why not me? Listen in as Pastor Tim shares Mary’s story and the true meaning of Christmas. Part 1 of the message series “Rediscovering the Nativity.” www.LiquidChurch.com pastortim@liquid.com

Only “crazy people” hear voices, right? I mean, it’s one thing to believe that God hears our prayers-- but it’s something else to believe He talks back! In 1 Samuel 3, we find a story about a young boy who heard God’s voice and prayed a dangerous prayer: “Use me.” Two simple words that God finds impossible to resist. Ever feel like your prayer life is just a monologue instead of a back-and-forth conversation with God? Listen in as Pastor Tim discusses how to position yourself to hear God’s voice in Part 4 of “Vertical: Communicating with God.” www.LiquidChurch.com pastortim@liquidchurch.com

Nobody likes to be a pest. But what happens when we get put on Call Waiting-- and our prayers seem to go unheard or unanswered? In Luke 11, Jesus tells us to hit the redial button-- to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Why? Because our Heavenly Father-- far from being bothered by our repeated requests-- is often moved by our bold persistence! Listen in as Pastor Tim tackles the subject of unanswered prayer in part 3 of "Vertical: Communicating with God." www.LiquidChurch.com pastortim@liquidchurch.com

This past week, a bag of unopened & unread "Letters to God" were discovered off a beach in Atlantic City. Some of the prayer requests were comical (a man asking God to let him win the lottery, twice), others were heartbreaking (a distraught teen begging forgiveness for an abortion). Does God hear such prayers? Does He respond to our sincere requests? Or are they just an expression of our deepest hopes that-- in the end-- go unanswered... drifting out to sea-- like a lost message in a bottle? In Luke 11, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. And what He invites them to pray for might surprise you. After listening to Pastor Tim's message, take a moment to POST YOUR #1 PRAYER REQUEST on the LiquidChurch.com website. What would you ask God for if you were absolutely confident He was listening? Part 2 of the message series "Vertical: Communicating with God" www.LiquidChurch.com

According to Gallup polls, more Americans will pray this week than will exercise, drive a car, go to work, or have sex! Nine in ten of us pray regularly, and 3 out of 4 claim to pray every day. We pray about all sorts of things: our jobs, families, money, relationships, health, and direction in life. Yet, most folks wonder: Does it make any difference? When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, it wasn't for magical powers, instant wealth, or trouble-free living. Rather, he invited them to connect with the One who already knew their needs. Listen in as Pastor Tim discusses how Prayer is about a relationship-- about an authentic, honest-to-God conversation between a Father and his beloved children. Part 1 of the message series "Vertical: Communicating with God." www.liquidchurch.com pastortim@liquidchurch.com

Darren and Steph are two of the newest members of our church family at Liquid. This Fall, they found themselves in a situation where they needed God in their lives. And quick. Steph was pregnant, and she and Darren weren't sure where to turn. Enter God. At the invitation of a friend, they visited Liquid where they experienced something they weren't used to in a church: acceptance and grace. Not condemnation, but care and hope. Darren decided to give his life to Christ that night... and he and Steph were married just 2 weeks later! We have a new family and much cause for joy at Liquid-- celebrate with us! Darren and Steph are just 2 of the many reasons "why we do, what we do" at Liquid. PRESS PLAY on the video below to experience their story. www.LiquidChurch.com

Vi•sion (noun) - the ability to see something that doesn't currently exist; a dream; the act or power of anticipating what will come into being; an inspired future reality. Vision is a powerful thing. Especially for a church. Vision is a small word with a big meaning, answering questions like... "Why does our church exist? What's our mission? What makes us unique? What makes our church different? Not better, but different?" This Fall, Liquid announced its plans to LAUNCH-OUT as an independent, fully autonomous, non-denominational church in the new year. And we have a God-inspired Vision for 2007-- to become a "high-definition" church that brings God into crystal-clear focus for those who are far from Him. Listen in as Pastor Tim describes our Vision for "Liquid HD"-- becoming the kind of high-definition church only God can get credit for. www.liquidchurch.com tim@liquidchurch.com

Love hurts. Is there hope for renewal after a relationship smash-up? How do you pick-up the pieces after a "Ground Zero" event like divorce? In the book of Nehemiah, God highlights the healing and recovery process by which He rebuilds that which has been devastated... and instills hope in the brokenhearted. Listen in as Pastor Tim shares God's words of hope for those ready to begin again. Part 3 of the series "Great Sexpectations." tim@liquidchurch.com www.liquidchurch.com

Many folks believe that married sex inevitably goes flat once you log some miles on the odometer. But a sex life that "fizzles" is a red light flashing on your marital dashboard! God does not intend married intimacy to shrivel up and flicker out-- but rather to deepen and burn hotter in intensity over time! But that requires some work (as you might expect). How can married couples keep the "sizzle" in their sex life? Listen in as Pastor Tim opens up God's Word for a candid talk on sex & intimacy. Part 2 of the message series "Great Sexpectations." tim@liquidchurch.com www.liquidchurch.com

How do you find a date worth keeping? Does God have anything to do with it? I mean, we all have our preferences ("Short, stocky male seeks tall, Amazonian goddess"), but what are God's priorities when seeking a spouse? In this insightful message based on Genesis 24, Pastor Tim shares God's design for godly relationships that go the distance. Part 1 of the current message series "Great Sexpectations." www.liquidchurch.com tim@liquidchurch.com

95% of all popular songs are about a 4-letter word: L-O-V-E. So you’d think there’d be more clarity on the subject! Single folks wonder what to look for in a spouse and if there is such a thing as “true love.” Married couples wonder how to keep love alive in a long-term commitment. And folks who’ve experienced relational heartache wonder if it’s worth ever opening their hearts to love again. What’s the nature of true love? What makes for a relationship that goes the distance? Listen in as Pastor Tim explores the R&B of love— in the story of Ruth and Boaz. Foreigner issues a challenge in their bighair anthem “I Want to Know What Love Is”-- and God has answered with a clear design for relational harmony in His Word. Part 5 of "Finding Faith in Rock-&-Roll" message series. www.LiquidChurch.com tim@liquidchurch.com

Nobody likes to admit they need help. Especially in a hyper-independent Western culture that values individualism above all else. Yet, God has told us from the beginning "It is not good for man to be alone" (Gen 2:18). To be sure, we were hardwired for community-- that's why connecting well with others is an innate desire of every human being. Is the Beatles' 1965 classic plea "Help! I Need Somebody" an admission of weakness? Or is it a statement of wisdom? Listen in as Pastor Tim explores the lyrics of both the Beatles and Ecclesiastes in this timely message. Part 4 of "Finding Faith in Rock-&-Roll" message series. www.LiquidChurch.com

What's the difference between Religion and Spirituality? Ask the average person on the street, and you'll notice the mere mention of the word "religion" sends people running-- conjuring images of narrow rules, hollow rituals, and joyless living. Yet, many people consider themselves "spiritual" (whatever that means). What's the difference between being religious and being spiritual? And would it be such a bad thing if Christians "lost their religion" as the R.E.M. pop hit invites us? Maybe not. Listen in as Pastor Tim explores the difference between manmade Religion and authentic Spirituality in this eye-opening message. Part of the Liquid message series "Finding Faith in Rock-&-Roll: Glimpses of God in the Greatest Hits of All-Time." www.LiquidChurch.com tim@liquidchurch.com