Midweek at The Compass

Season 3 Episode 18 - Jeff Griffin walks us through the PEARL strategy.For more resources on how to use the PEARL method with your neighbors, check out our PEARL Resources page.Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

In this powerful message, Jake is joined by guests Rick and Ann Smith from Trauma Free World, as they discuss how to find hope when it is hard to find. They share practical advice on how to spiritually heal from trauma and rebuild trust. They discuss how trauma shapes our behaviors and how it can impact trust. They share how hope can help us in our journey through despair.If you're struggling with despair and the effects of trauma, or know someone who is, this message is for you. Rick and Ann provide insight and guidance on how to find hope in the midst of darkness. They offer practical advice on how to spiritually heal and rebuild trust. To learn more about Trauma Free World, click here: https://traumafreeworld.org/ Want to learn more? Join us for a training on July 11-13 at our Naperville campus.  Details here: https://traumafreeworld.org/product/advanced-trauma-competent-care-naperville-il/Use the coupon code TCC20 to attend the course for 20% off! Registration includes printed materials, lunch, and snacks.Questions? Contact Ann at annsmith@traumafreeworld.org Timestamps:Intro1:02 - Rick & Ann Smith Intro2:00 - Their connection to the Compass3:20 - What is trauma? 3:59 - Examples of Trauma, different kinds of trauma5:18 - What happens biologically & physiologically as a result of trauma?8:09 - the effects in the Frontal Lobe / Executive Functioning9:25 - Survival Behaviors9:50 - Are "behavioral problems" always a sign of trauma?11:00 - Over 70% of adults worldwide have experienced trauma12:00 - Timing of trauma and its lasting effects13:01 - Coping mechanisms14:15 - What hapens psychologically from unresolved trauma?15:48 - Trauma in the context of relationships17:46 - How to begin to trust again19:15 - Reminders to parents20:32 - Spiritual practices that are helpful for healing22:01 - Positive effects of being thankful23:24 - Benefits of Lamenting25:10 - God isn't afraid of our feelings25:29 - What we need most to heal26:25 - Next steps28:55 - Parting words; Heal from the root31:00 - Where you can find info on Trauma Free World#trauma #healing #spiritual #parenting #trust #survival #psychology Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Join Jake and Cassie as they chat about what Bluey can teach us about faith & parenting.If you're a parent of a young child, you've probably heard of the Disney show Bluey. It's the story of a young family of Australian sheep dogs in everyday scenarios. Bandit, the dad in the story, turns everything into a game as he and his wife teach their kids life lessons. Jake and Cassie talk through the following: What are the lessons behind the lessons that we can learn from Bluey?How does it relate to our faith? How can we avoid or combat #DadGuilt and #MomGuilt?How can we model forgiveness for our kids?Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/prayerIf you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/giveMidweek at the Compass | Season 3 Episode 13#bluey #disney+ #parenting #condemnation #grace #faith #family Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Can we be a true Christian and still experience anxiety? In our current Jackpot weekend series, we're exploring the mind-blowing benefits of following Jesus, and this week, Jeff spoke about Peace. But what happens when we're experiencing Chaos or Anxiety? What might that feel like for us? What causes those feelings? How do we reconcile that with the knowledge that we have access to Christ's peace?Join us for a conversation with Biblical counselor, MicKenzie Crowley, as we take a look at anxiety through a biblical lens.Timestamps:2:05 - What is anxiety?2:50 - Clinical Anxiety -vs- everyday anxiety3:45 - What are common reasons people are struggling with anxiety right now? 4:21 - Three categories of sin that can create anxiety6:30 - The effects of Social Media on anxiety7:57 - Common symptoms of anxiety9:51 - How do we believe what's true while experiencing anxiety?10:33 - Unpacking Philippians 4:6 11:20 - Physical versus spiritual causes of anxiety15:10 - Tangible steps to overcome anxiety17:35 - The interplay between faith & anxiety19:30 - How people pursue relief for anxiety 21:20 - Healthy, biblical coping mechanisms for anxiety relief23:00 - Stories of people overcoming anxiety25:30 - First steps for people realizing you're experiencing anxiety27:33 - We need community28:25 - Where to find the Biblical Counseling CenterScriptural references:Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.Listen to the corresponding weekend message here or search "Peace | Jackpot" wherever you listen to your podcasts. Learn more about MicKenzie Crowley and the Biblical Counseling Center at https://biblicalcounselingcenter.org/.Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Join Jake & Jeff for a Behind the Scenes look at our Deconstruction series. Listen as they answer the following...- Why did we choose this particular topic? - What would have been covered if we had more time? - Do you have to go through Deconstruction to grow in your faith? In addition, Jeff has a message for Young Adults who are growing in and deconstructing their faith. We'll also get a sneak peek at our Good Friday & Easter services. Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Deconstruction can carry a negative connotation, however it's so important in conversion experiences and in healthy grounding of what's important about our faith. Greg works with college students to help them pull everything back to Jesus, to better understand who He is - not some suburban, urban, or rural version of Him, but the actual character of Jesus, which ultimately strengths our faith foundation.If all we have is "Veggie Tales" faith - AKA "you should just be kind" - then what happens when we experience failure? Doubt? Faith is so much more than being a "good person" - for example, if we are perfect, how can we learn God's grace? Tune in to today's episode of Midweek at The Compass with Greg Jao as he explains his experiences witnessing college students deconstruct and reconstruct their faith. Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Deconstruction can carry a negative connotation, however it's so important in conversion experiences and in healthy grounding of what's important about our faith. Greg works with college students to help them pull everything back to Jesus, to better understand who He is - not some suburban, urban, or rural version of Him, but the actual character of Jesus, which ultimately strengths our faith foundation.If all we have is "Veggie Tales" faith - AKA "you should just be kind" - then what happens when we experience failure? Doubt? Faith is so much more than being a "good person" - for example, if we are perfect, how can we learn God's grace? Tune in to today's episode of Midweek at The Compass with Greg Jao as he explains his experiences witnessing college students deconstruct and reconstruct their faith. Season 3 Episode 9Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Join us for this episode as Greg talks about recognizing the pain in the world while still worshipping a good God. Next week and the following, we'll be diving deeper into the concept of Deconstruction with Greg, exploring why our young adults are deconstructing their faith: what causes it, and what can we do about it? You won't want to miss it!This original message was preached last summer at the Compass.Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Have you ever struggled in your faith journey? We're in a new series called "Deconstruction: A Doubter's Journey" where we unpack what it looks like to wrestle with our questions and doubts in a way that increases our hope and deepens our relationship with God. Join us for the first week of our companion podcast, Midweek at the Compass, as Jake shares his personal experiences with the following:➡️Church Hurt➡️Christian Hypocrisy➡️Personal Failure➡️Life Disappointment➡️Countercultural WaysHere at the Compass, we want to support you as you seek answers to your questions about faith, the Bible, and God. If you'd like to connect with a pastor, fill out a connection card here: https://www.thecompass.net/ContactUs Check out the full weekend message, Why Faith Falls Apart, on the Compass Church Podcast.Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Jeff joins us to discuss all things Chicago Cubs... and of course, The Chase! How did this series impact him? Where did the construct come from? What does it mean about evangelism? We'll also dive into a preview of our next series, Deconstruction.Timestamps::30 - Let's talk about the Chicago Cubs!1:30 - Expectations for this season's Cubbies2:13 - the spiritual truths found in baseball2:39 - What was the Chase series all about?4:42 - What resonated with Jeff as he prepared for this series5:22 - Evangelism can be scary - who is the primary Evangelist?7:00 - the PEARL: a relational evangelism strategy8:25 - Intentionally joining God in His pursuit of the people around you8:36 - Dovetailing The Chase with the Pearl concept8:57 - Relational Evangelism in an oppositional culture10:26 - The topic did we not quite get to: God's sovereignty conveyed in Nebuchadnezzar's dream11:43 - the prophecies of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, validated13:06 - God humbles the proud14:49 - Nebuchadnezzar's shift of focus14:58 - Where is our focus?16:47 - the study of our current culture17:12 - How did you land on Deconstruction for our next series? What can we expect?17:51 - Jeff's deconstruction experience19:49 - Deconstructing as a result of culture20:27- Jake's deconstruction experience21:48 - the Cubs & deconstruction23:10 - Scripture we'll look at this series24:10 - Goals of the Deconstruction seriesLet us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Today, Jake interviews worship leader Jane Hoshell & Campus Pastor Adam Gascho about the dreams - God-given or otherwise - they've pursued in their life. Listen to learn some ways to discern whether a dream is your own or God-given, how to persist in pursuing your dream amidst adversity, and God's primary objective in giving us dreams. Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Have you ever wondered what the bible says about taking care of our bodies? In our conversation with Pete Sutton this week, we use Daniel chapter 1 as a starting point to break down some misconceptions about how Daniel and his friends ate in Daniel 1 and what we can learn from it. Spoilers: it's not to eat only vegetables and water!Far from being a conversation solely around caring for our physical bodies, Jake and Pete also dive into how God is the main character of every story, the purpose of Scripture, dependence upon God, how work has changed since the writing of the Bible, unity and diversity, why the Bible doesn't talk much about exercise, how to deal with shame and guilt, and so much more. Join us for this rich conversation that will give you a new perspective on the relationship between yourself, your body, and your God.Episode notes:Who is our guest, Pete Sutton?Context of Daniel Chapter 1Origins of the Daniel DietWhat can we learn from the Daniel diet?God is the main character of every storyScripture is the revelation of GodAre fad diets biblical?How does the Bible describe our bodies?How the Trinity reflects unity & diversityOur appetites allow us to experience the fullness of GodHow our needs force us to depend upon GodSabbath restthe result of the Fall on parentingHow are body and work tied together?How can we care well for our mind & body?Functional joyDealing with shame and guiltBalancing life & familyStruggling with body image? Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Jeff wraps up our Angels series with some bonus information about Angels that didn't fit into any of the messages. Listen in to hear all the highlights including friendly banter between Jeff & Jake, the kinds of angels that didn't make it into a weekend message, and how there's always more to the story. Also: Jeff apologizes for not letting Jake know he was going to Ottawa (Jake's hometown).Timestamps: 1:02 - Highlights from Christmas service2:23 - Jake gets a flat tire in the worst storm of the winter3:59 - "Peace on Earth" Original Christmas song 4:49 - Silk snow makes you cough 🤧6:37 - Why Angels?8:52 - Nephilim: Offspring of Giants11:24 - Visiting Ottawa (and modeling reconciliation)14:16 - Additional stories of Generosity18:30 - Worshipping with angels20:27 - Are UFOs real?!21:47 - There's more to the story22:36 - Coming up: the Chase series24:44 - God chases after us25:44 - the angel in the Fiery Furnace26:47 - the agonizing side of being a preacher27:07 - the angel of the Lord28:30 - Jacob & the ladder30:34 - next week's episodeMidweek at the Compass, Season 3 Ep 2Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

This week, Jake interviews retired Angelology Professor Fred Dickason. Fred studied Electrical engineering in the Navy, taught at Moody Bible Institute, and has spent 52 years studying about, teaching, and counseling on angels. Fred has written several books on angels, including Angels Elect & Evil.Join us as Fred shares his insights on the history of angels, the role of angels in our everyday life, Satan, spiritual warfare, and more.From understanding who angels are and what they do to overcoming spiritual warfare, this is a conversation that will give you a deep understanding of angels and their role in your life. Timestamps::24 - Biblical perspective on angels and the role they play in our everyday lives:51 - Introduction: Charles Frederick Dickerson Jr3:40 - 1966: how & why Fred began studying angels5:19 - When did Fred know that he wanted to teach a course on Angels?6:26 - What are angels?6:35 - Timing of Angels' Creation (Colossians 1:16)7:27 - Primary functions of angels throughout scripture8:08 - Angel Stories8:45 - Where do we see fallen angels in scripture? (Genesis 3)10:08 - Common misconceptions about angelic beings11:46 - Angels don't have wings12:26 - Angels are Watchers13:10 - What can we learn about God through studying angles?15:01 - Can we each have a guardian angel?16:14 - God elects different angels for different purposes20:45 - Fred's books & where to find themLet us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Our pastors encourage us to slow down and participate in Advent during December - but who has time for that? December is one of the busiest months of the year for almost everyone. So how can we create time for the "reason for the season"? How can we implement some spiritual practices that will ground us in the goodness, peace, and love we're promised through Jesus Christ?Tune in for a rich conversation between Jake and Spiritual Director Dre Nell about some simple spiritual practices we can use to connect with our Prince of Peace this Christmas season.Resources for Spiritual Direction found here: Sustainable Faith: sustainablefaith.com/ssd-find-a-spiritual-directorSoul Care: www.soulcare.com/spiritual-directionGrafted Life: www.graftedlife.org/spiritual-direction/find Timestamps:1:31 - Introduction: Dre Nell2:20 - What is a Spiritual Director?2:35 - The difference between a counselor and a spiritual director6:06 - How Dre shifted into becoming a spiritual director8:25 - What is the best part of being a Spiritual Director?11:00 - Prominent, recurring themes in people's spiritual journeys11:58 - The parental portrayal of God & effects on children13:54 - Ways someone can naturally connect with God14:37 - Identifying where you feel stuck16:30 - Practices to experience God in this busy season16:50 - Holy Pause19:55 - Breath Prayer22:20 - Nativity & Scripture Meditation26:12 - Slowing down with song28:10 - Deciding if you want/need a Spiritual Director; How to find a spiritual directorLet us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

We all know that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is... Singing loud for all to hear!!Do you create a Christmas ambience by playing your favorite Christmas music at home? Join Jake & Rachael as they talk through their favorite Christmas songs: Past, present, and future! Head over to our Socials and share what your favorite Christmas songs are!Timestamps:1:51 - Rachael Farnum introduction2:41 - Have you always loved Christmas?3:39 - Rachael singing a Christmas song from childhood5:13 - What is your favorite Christmas song?7:18 - Jake's favorite Christmas song8:58 - Top choice funny Christmas song9:51 - Joy to the World's back story13:24 - Three meanings of celebration14:50 - The purpose of "Joy to the World"16:19 - How digging deeper into the meanings of songs can affect worship17:41 - Christmas past: Highlights at the Church19:58 - Guitar intro teaser20:53 - A Thrill of hope24:14 - Christmas Eve service plans26:21 - Additional notes for listeners from Rachael FarnumLet us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Do you have any fun Christmas traditions? Does your family have meaningful Christmas traditions?Join Jake, Durmomo Gary, and Edgardo Escobar for a conversation about the traditions & customs of Christmas in South Sudan & Colombia! Timestamps:1:14 - Introductions: Durmomo Gary and Edgardo Escobar2:30 - What traditions did you grow up with?2:43 - Colombian Christmas traditions5:49 - South Sudanese Christmas traditions9:17 - North American Christmas traditions10:32 - Santa in different countries12:02 - Similarities in Edgardo's and Durmomo's Christmas traditions13:10 - Santa Claus in North AmericaLet us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

Jeff sits down with Jake and recaps our Egypt series. Get a glimpse into where the series idea came from (hint: Jeff mentions his favorite movie!) and learn more about the relationship between Egypt, Christianity, history, and archaeology. From King Tut to the pyramids, Jeff Griffin digs deep into the fascinating history of ancient Egypt in this conversation.Plus, Jake quizzes Jeff on his Christmas service history and takes a look ahead at Christmas at The Compass 2022. The Gold Pyramid house in Wadsworth, IL: http://www.goldpyramid.com/?fbclid=IwAR0K5lU1xdnSvPKCrZBEwFWbHN4I1W6XT7hbaenT3MzqjDrOLORpY8emLP4Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

What's your dream job? Have you ever thought you were in the perfect job, but then things shifted and took you in an unexpected direction? In today's podcast, AnnaMaria shares her story of being obedient to God's prompting to leave her "dream job" only to find that God had much better things in store for her. Join us to hear her journey of how God stirred in her heart and moved her to risk financial security, safety, and comfort to step into a new season of surrender, pursuing her passion, and serving at-risk children.Safe Families is a non profit motivated by radical hospitality, disruptive generosity, and intentional compassion to keep children safe and families together. To learn more, go to https://safe-families.org/ or call: 773-653-2200. #SafeFamilies #SaveOurChildren #BlessedtobeaBlessing #FosterCareStatisticsTo get in contact with AnnaMaria, email amattey@safefamilies.net.Let us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give

In this week's episode of Midweek at The Compass, Cassie & Jake talk about following God with all we are. They talk discuss growing in faith, how self-care can be spiritual, discovering new ways to live out age-old spiritual practices, and putting honor and love of God at the center of our lives. When we hear words like confession, fasting, and communion, it's easy to think they are outdated. When you hear "Sabbath", you might think that means attending church on Sunday. Jake & Cassie explore how these age-old practices are applicable in our modern, every-day life, and help us find and follow God.Have a comment or story idea? Let us know. Email us at online@thecompass.netLet us know you're here! If you have a need or prayer request we can support you: thecompass.net/connectioncard If you call The Compass your church home or you'd like to partner with us in what God is doing here, near, and far, you can visit thecompass.net/give