We live in an age of Facebook “likes”, Instagram “followings" and text message chats, but can these online communities replace true friendship? Where is the friend who will love us “warts and all” or bring us soup when we’re going through a tough time? The community in Philippi had many differences, yet God broke down barriers and brought people together. What can Philippians teach us about true friendship?

Read More…
Tags: Frankenstein, Mary Shelley, Saint Augustine, Jean-Paul Sartre, Abba Dorotheos of Gaza, Stephen Fowl

Can we have joy in suffering and adversity? It seems unlikely, but that’s the 64 million dollar question Philippians challenges us with in this week’s blog. The Apostle Paul says the secret in being content in every circumstance is…well, we won’t give it away here. Join us for this week’s reflections on the good news that’s often hidden in unlikely places, like suffering.

Read More…
Tags: W.E.Hill, Peter Gomes, Joy in Suffering, Muscular Hope, De-centered Selves

In 2016 as our community studied Philippians, we answered a question via email each week in preparation. We always enjoyed this online pre-meeting as we filtered our lives through the text of the week. Stories, confessions, reflections, all were shared, and when we finally gathered in person on Wednesday evenings, it was as though the meeting had already begun with good energy. God was preparing our hearts as the questions helped us deepen Paul’s words and immerse ourselves in the text. We invite you to listen in on a few of our stories, and perhaps share some of your own.

Read More…
Tags: GBS (Guillain-Barré syndrome), Psalm 121:5, 1 Corinthians 13:12-13, Psalm 23, Romans 5:3-5

Winnipeg readers might remember a popular call-in radio show from the ’70’s called “Beefs and Bouquets.” For 30 seconds, callers could air praise or complaints about something going on in the community. In this spirit, Watershed’s teacher/pastor Paul Patterson thought it’d be fun to write to the 1st century writer of Philippians. Paul the Apostle was a gifted writer and visionary, but he could also be a name-caller and a bragger.

Read More…
Tags: Philippians 3:1-7, Youth For Christ, Beefs and Bouquets, Gains and Losses

Having unity while still honoring diversity among us is trickier than it first seems. We invariably start relationships off with high ideals and hopes, but life has this way of testing our aspirations. It doesn’t take long to experience each others’ sharp edges. How can we be a people who truly live the gospel we believe in, where everyone and everything belongs? Find out what Philippians 1:27 has to say about unity to our divided 21st century world.

Read More…
Tags: Rodney King, M. Scott Peck, David Congdon, Fibonacci