Guided Discussions Details
Hi, Welcome! Holy Discontent Group Guide February 2024 Print What’s a bigger occasion for you: the Super Bowl or Valentine’s Day? Why? What’s a word or two that describes your last few weeks? We are about to dive into the Book of Nehemiah. Read the following historical context and picture...
Easter Eggs: What Is the History Behind This Tradition?
Hi, Welcome! Easter Eggs: What Is the History Behind This Tradition? Posted by Jennifer Rogers, Contributing Writer, on Feb 27, 2024 Easter Eggs: What Is the History Behind This Tradition? Have you ever wondered what eggs have to do with Easter? Why do we dye and hunt for Easter eggs...
10 Interesting Facts About Jesus That Might Surprise You
Hi, Welcome! 10 Interesting Facts About Jesus That Might Surprise You Posted by Maggie Coffey, Contributing Writer, on Feb 27, 2024 10 Interesting Facts About Jesus That Might Surprise You Jesus Christ is one of the most controversial figures in history. And one of the complicated things to understand about...
Real Options Offers Real Hope
Hi, Welcome! Real Options Offers Real Hope Posted by Joe Munoz, Contributing Writer, on May 06, 2021 Real Options Offers Real Hope Kim Brochu loved working as a patient advocate at Real Options , guiding those whose lives were turned upside down by an unplanned pregnancy. In her four years...
A Safe Place to Heal After Abortion
Hi, Welcome! A Safe Place to Heal After Abortion Posted by Katie Wood, Contributing Writer, on Jul 23, 2019 A Safe Place to Heal After Abortion I’m a mom to three girls; two of which are still at home. They are 12 and 14 years old. Teenagers. You know what...
How Domestic Violence Impacts Our Community
Hi, Welcome! How Domestic Violence Impacts Our Community Posted by Shanda Gunter, Care Pastor, on Jun 23, 2022 How Domestic Violence Impacts Our Community Awareness of the reality and impact of domestic violence has increased since National Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first established in 1989. The observance first began...
Surprised by Church: A Social Recluse's Journey
Hi, Welcome! Surprised by Church: A Social Recluse's Journey Posted by Matt McNeill, Contributing Writer, on Jul 31, 2022 Surprised by Church: A Social Recluse's Journey I remember it vividly: sitting on the steps in front of the sanctuary with other 7-year-olds, bright lights hitting our faces as the priest...
Life Isn't Fair
Hi, Welcome! Life Isn't Fair Posted by Stanley Wang, Contributing Writer, on Jan 26, 2021 Life Isn't Fair "Life isn’t fair." We’ve all heard that phrase at some point when we were kids. As a parent, I’ve learned to appreciate the power it holds to cut off all further discussion...
Two Families at One Virtual Table
Hi, Welcome! Two Families at One Virtual Table Posted by Joe Muñoz, Contributing Writer, on Nov 25, 2020 Two Families at One Virtual Table It was the end of a scorching-hot North Texas summer Saturday, and two families were sitting down to a little bit of heaven on a plate:...
Finding Connection and Community in Unexpected Ways
Hi, Welcome! Finding Connection and Community in Unexpected Ways Posted by Jennifer Rogers, Contributing Writer, on Jul 02, 2019 Finding Connection and Community in Unexpected Ways We were created for community. We were not meant to journey through life alone. But sometimes, finding connection and community can be difficult because...
Bob Goff's "Everybody Always": A New Perspective on Life and Love
Hi, Welcome! Bob Goff's "Everybody Always": A New Perspective on Life and Love Posted by Ed Hager, Contributing Writer, on Apr 09, 2019 Bob Goff's "Everybody Always": A New Perspective on Life and Love Bob Goff’s "Everybody Always" ends with these words: "Don't just love the people who are easy...
From Ashes to Beauty: A Story of Transformation
Hi, Welcome! From Ashes to Beauty: A Story of Transformation Posted by Marissa Fuqua, Contributing Writer, on Mar 21, 2018 From Ashes to Beauty: A Story of Transformation What is Transformation? Transformation has multiple applications. Scientifically, animals undergo metamorphosis, elements change through nuclear processes, and cells alter genetically by introducing...
Get Ready: The Holidays Are Coming
Hi, Welcome! Get Ready: The Holidays Are Coming Posted by Shanda Gunter, Chase Oaks Care Pastor, on Oct 20, 2023 Get Ready: The Holidays Are Coming “The holidays are coming!” While this statement may prompt some people to decorate or start making a list and checking it twice, it can...
3 Things Not To Say to Someone with an Addiction
Hi, Welcome! 3 Things Not To Say to Someone with an Addiction Posted by Matt Johnston, Contributing Writer, on Oct 22, 2021 3 Things Not To Say to Someone with an Addiction Words matter, especially to someone facing a complex and often-misunderstood condition like addiction. What can we say to...
Substance Recovery: Mike's Story
Hi, Welcome! Substance Recovery: Mike's Story Posted on Sep 24, 2021 Substance Recovery: Mike's Story My name is Mike Urpani, and I am a 41-year-old male who has been in recovery since June 8, 2018. I was formerly addicted to drugs. I had grown up experimenting with drugs in my...
How Can You Tell If Someone Has an Addiction?
Hi, Welcome! How Can You Tell If Someone Has an Addiction? Posted by Matt Johnston, Contributing Writer, on Sep 09, 2021 How Can You Tell If Someone Has an Addiction? One more drink. Another incident. A late night of browsing. Broken resolutions. How can you tell if someone has just...
What Is Advent?
Hi, Welcome! What Is Advent? Posted by Tsedey Tadesse, Contributing Writer, on Nov 22, 2023 What Is Advent? It seems like everyone's been given permission to set up our Christmas trees early this year. Some of us have had them up for at least a month! Why? We’re all eager...
Everything You Need to Know About the Advent Wreath
Hi, Welcome! Everything You Need to Know About the Advent Wreath Posted by Kevin Williams, Contributing Writer, on Nov 26, 2021 Everything You Need to Know About the Advent Wreath The turkey is cooked. The pie tins are empty. It’s official: Christmas season is upon us. Whatever you believe about...
Three DIY Christmas Decorations You Can Make This Holiday
Hi, Welcome! Three DIY Christmas Decorations You Can Make This Holiday Posted by Jennifer Rogers, Contributing Writer, on Dec 17, 2020 Three DIY Christmas Decorations You Can Make This Holiday As we approach the last week of Advent, some of us are busy with Christmas decorations and gift wrapping to...
The Reverse Advent Calendar
Hi, Welcome! The Reverse Advent Calendar Posted by Tracy Parlin, Outreach Director (Legacy Campus), on Dec 01, 2020 The Reverse Advent Calendar Many of us keep an Advent calendar as a festive and creative way to count down the days from December 1 until Christmas. These calendars usually mark each...
Seeds of Faith: Amber's Story
Hi, Welcome! Seeds of Faith: Amber's Story Posted by Amber Harris, Contributing Writer, on Aug 27, 2023 Seeds of Faith: Amber's Story My mom planted the seeds of faith the minute I was born. I grew up going to church every Sunday and Wednesday night. When I was in third...
Finding Rest in the Deep End
Hi, Welcome! Finding Rest in the Deep End Posted by Katy Bailey, Sloan Creek Student Ministry Pastor, on Apr 20, 2021 Finding Rest in the Deep End Life is like a swimming in a big lake. Some seasons are spent in the shallow end, enjoying water games and soaking in...
Discovering Our Gifts Through Storms
Hi, Welcome! Discovering Our Gifts Through Storms Posted by Chris Tull, Contributing Writer, on Jan 04, 2018 Discovering Our Gifts Through Storms It’s not a matter if a storm is going to enter your life. It’s when . But storms do not define our lives. Rather, they provide opportunities for...
College 101: Key Tips To Survive Your First Year
Hi, Welcome! College 101: Key Tips To Survive Your First Year Posted by Marissa Fuqua, Contributing Writer, on Aug 11, 2023 College 101: Key Tips To Survive Your First Year You walked across the high school stage (or football field) feeling limitless. That same feeling returns as you step foot...
Surviving Anxiety and Depression
Hi, Welcome! Surviving Anxiety and Depression Posted by Matt Brandenburg, Digital Engagement Pastor, on Oct 09, 2022 Surviving Anxiety and Depression There is hope for anxiety and depression. You can find and hold onto hope that things will get better as you move forward. When I was in my 20’s,...
Why Aren't My Relationships Deeper?
Hi, Welcome! Why Aren't My Relationships Deeper? Posted by Joanna Williams, Richardson Campus Adult Ministry Director, on Aug 30, 2022 Why Aren't My Relationships Deeper? As a young adult, I have found that the more I seek out friendships and desire connection, the harder it is to create those so-called...
How To Cope with Anxiety
Hi, Welcome! How To Cope with Anxiety Posted by Marissa Fuqua, Contributing Writer, on May 12, 2022 How To Cope with Anxiety According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America , anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United...
My Journey with Anxiety and Depression
Hi, Welcome! My Journey with Anxiety and Depression Posted on Nov 18, 2021 My Journey with Anxiety and Depression Nearly one in five adults in the U.S. live with some form of mental health issue. If you are one of those individuals or know an individual that suffers from some...
Five Ways to Count Our Blessings
Hi, Welcome! Five Ways to Count Our Blessings Posted by Jeree Brunson, Contributing Writer, on Nov 20, 2020 Five Ways to Count Our Blessings It’s been quite a year! Navigating the pandemic, sifting through headline news, and handling life’s challenges can feel overwhelming as we gear up for the holiday...
How to Handle Stress When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Hi, Welcome! How to Handle Stress When Life Doesn’t Make Sense Posted by Shanda Gunter, Care Pastor, on May 06, 2020 How to Handle Stress When Life Doesn’t Make Sense The Gunter house has been a little crazy in the last few weeks. When homeschooling started for my oldest child,...
How to Tackle BOREDom
Hi, Welcome! How to Tackle BOREDom Posted by Jason Lee, Groups Resident, on Mar 25, 2020 How to Tackle BOREDom COVID-19 has me stuck and I’m bored. Now what? AM: Early Morning Breathe As we continue to tune in on any news source (e.g., social media, TV, and radio), we...
How to Cope With Anxiety and Fear During the Pandemic
Hi, Welcome! How to Cope With Anxiety and Fear During the Pandemic Posted by Shanda Gunter, ReNew Director, on Mar 19, 2020 How to Cope With Anxiety and Fear During the Pandemic It’s hard to turn on the TV or scroll though social media without triggering anxiety or fear right...
The Truth About Teens and Anxiety
Hi, Welcome! The Truth About Teens and Anxiety Posted by Shanda Gunter, Care Pastor, on Jan 08, 2020 The Truth About Teens and Anxiety Recognizing Anxiety in Teens “I’m really struggling right now, but when I say something to my parents, they say I'm just being dramatic or that it’s...
How to Let Go of Emotional Baggage
Hi, Welcome! How to Let Go of Emotional Baggage Posted by Tsedey Tadesse, Contributing Writer, on Feb 05, 2019 How to Let Go of Emotional Baggage Emotional baggage is usually the term we use for unresolved negative issues of an emotional nature. We all have emotional baggage. But some are...
Overcoming Fear When Making Decisions
Hi, Welcome! Overcoming Fear When Making Decisions Posted by Anita Battista, Contributing Writer, on Feb 04, 2018 Overcoming Fear When Making Decisions When faced with making decisions, especially life-changing ones, it is natural for us to feel fear and anxiety. We might have a fear of the unknown, a fear...
Wanting the World To Know: Jamie's Baptism Story
Hi, Welcome! Wanting the World To Know: Jamie's Baptism Story Posted on Aug 10, 2023 Wanting the World To Know: Jamie's Baptism Story My name is Jamie Wildridge. My family and I attend the Woodbridge Campus of Chase Oaks, where we've been going for about a year now. I talked...
Seven Common Questions About Baptism
Hi, Welcome! Seven Common Questions About Baptism Posted by Jennifer Rogers, Contributing Writer, on Mar 08, 2022 Seven Common Questions About Baptism If you grew up in the church, you have probably heard or experienced some type of baptism—whether it was watching a Christ-follower be immersed in water or attending...
Journey to Baptism: Rowena's Story
Hi, Welcome! Journey to Baptism: Rowena's Story Posted by Joe Muñoz, Contributing Writer, on Oct 12, 2021 Journey to Baptism: Rowena's Story It was the moment Rowena Soo had been moving towards
for years. The studying, the praying, the talking to the Almighty,
hoping He’d make His voice heard in her life....
Celebrating Fall Baptisms: Stories of Life Change
Hi, Welcome! Celebrating Fall Baptisms: Stories of Life Change Posted by Diana Wells, Contributing Writer, on Nov 03, 2020 Celebrating Fall Baptisms: Stories of Life Change The weekend of September 20, 2020, four Chase Oaks campus locations celebrated stories of life change and God’s work in their midst. After months...
Who Decided What Should Be in the New Testament?
Hi, Welcome! Who Decided What Should Be in the New Testament? Posted by Eric Torrence, Transformation Pastor, on Feb 01, 2022 Who Decided What Should Be in the New Testament? Our New Testaments contain the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. However, there are other gospels about Jesus, some...
Finding Faith, Hope, and Love in the Psalms
Hi, Welcome! Finding Faith, Hope, and Love in the Psalms Posted by Susan Harms, Contributing Writer, on Sep 30, 2021 Finding Faith, Hope, and Love in the Psalms As a morning person, my perfectly crafted early latte isn’t so much about waking me up as it is to welcome me...
Where Do We Take Our Cues?
Hi, Welcome! Where Do We Take Our Cues? Posted by Vince Ellwood, Contributing Writer, on Apr 29, 2021 Where Do We Take Our Cues? To say that we are living in culture filled with competing voices would be an understatement. How can we figure out what's best in a confusing...
How Does God Speak to Us
Hi, Welcome! How Does God Speak to Us Posted by Ed Hager, Contributing Writer, on Jul 16, 2019 How Does God Speak to Us Whether we have been Christ-followers most of our lives or we are new to the church, most of us wonder, “ How does God speak to...
How the Holy Spirit Can Empower Us
Hi, Welcome! How the Holy Spirit Can Empower Us Posted by Ed Hager, Contributing Writer, on Aug 01, 2018 How the Holy Spirit Can Empower Us Discovering the Holy Spirit After my divorce, to say I struggled would be an understatement. But among the most glaring evidences of my struggle...
How to Seek the Wisdom of God
Hi, Welcome! How to Seek the Wisdom of God Posted by Elle Sanders, Contributing Writer, on Jan 28, 2018 How to Seek the Wisdom of God Seeking God’s wisdom can be difficult in our culture when we hear many people share their “wisdom” with us. Everyone has their own sense of...
Evolving Ambitions
Hi, Welcome! Evolving Ambitions Posted by Joe Muñoz, Contributing Writer, on Jan 20, 2021 Evolving Ambitions Aashik Khakoo is a numbers man. No, not one of those guys working out of a smoky back room, taking bets on ball games and horse races. Aashik lives and breathes numbers. He gets...
Celebrating a "Re-Birthday"
Hi, Welcome! Celebrating a "Re-Birthday" Posted by Rebecca Yauger, Contributing Writer, on Apr 22, 2021 Celebrating a "Re-Birthday" Whether we like it or not, birthdays keep coming. How do you celebrate your birthday? Do you dread it – knowing there are a few more wrinkles or more gray hair? Do...
What I Learned Through the Pain of My Most Difficult Moments
Hi, Welcome! What I Learned Through the Pain of My Most Difficult Moments Posted by Ed Hager, Contributing Writer, on Nov 08, 2018 What I Learned Through the Pain of My Most Difficult Moments Facing the Pain of Divorce It was the most painful season of my life. Despite my...
How To Fight Burnout
Hi, Welcome! How To Fight Burnout Posted by Matt Brandenburg, Digital Engagement Pastor, on Aug 21, 2022 How To Fight Burnout We were two months into the Covid shutdown and I sat in the corner of our bedroom, hunched over my computer. Teaching college-level economics to a classroom full of...
3 Must-Have "C’s" To Add To Your Crew
Hi, Welcome! 3 Must-Have "C’s" To Add To Your Crew Posted by Maggie Coffey, Contributing Writer, on Jul 23, 2021 3 Must-Have "C’s" To Add To Your Crew As we get older, we realize that our friendships and the people who surround us matter more than ever. It’s even funny...
Mental Health Matters: Q&A with a Mental Health Professional
Hi, Welcome! Mental Health Matters: Q&A with a Mental Health Professional Posted by Ly Tran, Licensed Counselor at Lifeologie, on May 18, 2021 Mental Health Matters: Q&A with a Mental Health Professional The month of May is recognized in the U.S. as Mental Health Awareness Month . This designation, which...
5 Ways to Support Someone Who's Grieving
Hi, Welcome! 5 Ways to Support Someone Who's Grieving Posted by Matt Johnston, Contributing Writer, on Apr 15, 2021 5 Ways to Support Someone Who's Grieving The death of a loved one is a painful reality we all face, but the caring presence of friends during times of loss can...
3 Practical Ways to Flatten the Curve
Hi, Welcome! 3 Practical Ways to Flatten the Curve Posted by Kelsey Kruzich, Communications Admin, on May 26, 2020 3 Practical Ways to Flatten the Curve News reports reveal the U.S. COVID-19 death toll hit 100,000 and unemployment rates are increasing as 1 in 4 Americans have filed for unemployment...
What Do You Expect When Facing the Storms of Life?
Hi, Welcome! What Do You Expect When Facing the Storms of Life? Posted by Ed Hager, Contributing Writer, on Sep 09, 2018 What Do You Expect When Facing the Storms of Life? The summer following my college graduation, my wife and I did an internship at the church she attended...
3 Ways To Keep Learning About Black History
Hi, Welcome! 3 Ways To Keep Learning About Black History Posted on Feb 25, 2024 3 Ways To Keep Learning About Black History Black History Month celebrates the heritage, achievements, and contributions of black Americans, both past and present. But why and how should we keep learning about black history...
Where To Celebrate Lunar New Year 2024 in DFW
Hi, Welcome! Where To Celebrate Lunar New Year 2024 in DFW Posted on Feb 05, 2024 Where To Celebrate Lunar New Year 2024 in DFW Happy Lunar New Year! This huge, 15-day celebration, observed by countries and cultures around the world, begins Saturday, February 10 to mark the start of...
The History of Santa Claus: From Man of Faith to Christmas Symbol
Hi, Welcome! The History of Santa Claus: From Man of Faith to Christmas Symbol Posted on Nov 24, 2023 The History of Santa Claus: From Man of Faith to Christmas Symbol For many people, Santa Claus is a beloved figure who represents the spirit of giving and the joy of...
Five Fun Things To See and Do in DFW This Fall
Hi, Welcome! Five Fun Things To See and Do in DFW This Fall Posted on Sep 28, 2023 Five Fun Things To See and Do in DFW This Fall It's fall, y'all! The familiar sights, sounds, and flavors of the season are more welcome than ever. It’s a great time...
5 Facts To Know About National Hispanic Heritage Month
Hi, Welcome! 5 Facts To Know About National Hispanic Heritage Month Posted on Sep 15, 2023 5 Facts To Know About National Hispanic Heritage Month Every year, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the culture, achievements, and impact on U.S. history of people from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South and...
Where To Celebrate Juneteenth 2023 in DFW
Hi, Welcome! Where To Celebrate Juneteenth 2023 in DFW Posted on Jun 11, 2023 Where To Celebrate Juneteenth 2023 in DFW Juneteenth commemorates the spread of freedom throughout our country and originated on June 19, 1865. On that day, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to share the news with...