Messages from Vinings Lake Church in Mableton, Georgia. Vinings Lake is an ever-evolving spiritual collective waking up to beauty, truth, and goodness wherever it is found. [ Service at 11:00 ]
…
continue reading
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and they breeze over a detail about their life and you stop and say, "Wait, that's not normal. Let's talk about that." That's where T and A come in! We're Tommy and Aaron (T and A) and we're here to Save the Day. We interview everyday people and hear about their unique experiences. Embracing their version of normal while we provide comedic relief.
…
continue reading
Love is eternal. It was the energy present at the Big bang, it is the source and sustainer of all that is, and it will be present when everything else fades. This is why, in the end, what matters most will be love. We will never regret choosing the path of love. So the question is, what are we giving our energies to? In the end, love will be all th…
…
continue reading
Paul comes to his crescendo in 1 Corinthians 13 by using a rhythm, flow, and words with punch and power. Paul wants to set the house on fire with a closing description about love. What does he say? Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things! Paul wants this collective to know, the love he is writing about i…
…
continue reading
In 1943, an American psychologist named Abraham Maslow published a paper in an academic journal that attempted to describe the universal pattern of human motivations. He essentially ranked the most fundamental human needs and ordered them into a pyramid that has become famously known as “Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.” Maslow observed that the human …
…
continue reading
Ever heard this phrase? “I’m just speaking the truth in love.” How about this one? “Love without truth affirms us but denies our flaws. Truth without love has no compassion for the person's flaws.” Today, we talk about the relationship between truth + love. Is there a difference? Is love opposed to truth? Is love an enemy to truth? What if there is…
…
continue reading
Do you know someone who every time a name is mentioned it is followed by what wrongs that person did? Imagine being reminded of your worst moment again and again and again. Why do we do this? Many reasons, but one reason might be because we are operating in a wounded framework. Paul reminds us, love doesn’t keep score. Love is not playing that game…
…
continue reading
Love does not insist on its own way. These words are what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13 about his experience with love. In context, this “insisting on its own way” has to do with a specific issue in the Corinth collective. While some insisted their way was the only way, Paul reminds them, love is not selfish, but is concerned about the wellbeing …
…
continue reading
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul uses fifteen verbs to describe LOVE. Of those fifteen, seven are used to describe what love is not. Today, we explore how love is not envious, arrogant, boastful, or rude. These behaviors are the opposite of what love is. They also happen to be the characteristics of this Corinthian community. What do we do when our action…
…
continue reading
In an age when vitriol, slander, and meanness are the standard for what it means to be human, we must ask, where is the kindness? And why does it seem those who profess to be the most spiritual, are often the most unkind? Today, we look at another profound descriptor Paul gives to love; love is kind. This kindness is present even in our unkindness.…
…
continue reading
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul describes LOVE with 15 verbs. Some are positive and others are negative. Today we will look at his first descriptor; Love is patient. In a culture where we are conditioned to be hurried, frantic, and anxious about life, love beckons us to a new dimension that is outside of the space time continuum. A place of peace and pre…
…
continue reading
How do you define love? Most people define love in the traditional ways they have experienced love. Love is understood to be an emotion, infatuation, or an intense feeling of deep affection. These understandings are all transformative in and of themselves. But what if there was a LOVE behind these experiences of love? What if these experiences of l…
…
continue reading
What does spiritual health and maturity look like? How can you measure your own spiritual depth? Is it by how often we attend a spiritual collective? How often do we read the Bible, pray, or discuss our beliefs? Today, we began our walk through 1 Corinthians 13. Paul opens this profound chapter by giving us a new metric. The essence of a healthy an…
…
continue reading
John 14:6 has become a prooftext for many to exclude any religion that isn't Christianity. Is Jesus the only way to God? What does that mean? Can other religions lead to the Divine? What did Jesus mean when he said, I am the way? Last week we set the context. This week we get into the words.By Vinings Lake Church
…
continue reading
Can one know the way, the truth, and the life apart from Jesus? Are there many ways to God? Can other religions lead to the Divine? Is Jesus the only way? And the way to what? John 14:6 is the answer to all these questions for many. Today, we will get into this infamous verse. Could this prooftext for exclusivity, actually be about inclusivity?…
…
continue reading
Matthew 28 has become known as the impetus for the expansion of Christianity. But what did Matthew have in mind when he was writing this? This week, we will walk through these final words of Jesus and explore what they could mean for us. What if the Great Commission is not about expanding Christianity? What if power, domination, and proselytizing i…
…
continue reading
In 2018, American evangelical Christian missionary, John Allen Chau was killed by the Sentinelese after illegally traveling to their isolated island to convert this indigenous group to Christianity. Chau, like many evangelicals, received his missionary calling from what has been called, the Great Commission, in Matthew 28. But is this what Jesus ha…
…
continue reading
Bar Mitzvahs, graduations, weddings, and funerals all mark a significant stage in someone’s life. But what about Baptism? This ancient rite of passage has been given many meanings over the years. This week, we will look at some of those meanings. Can baptism still be a meaningful ritual for us today? What might it mean for us today?…
…
continue reading
If you grew up evangelical, you know about, “The Sinner's Prayer.” Romans 9:10-11 is usually the prooftext for this prayer. Today, we are exploring this passage in its larger context of Paul's extended riff (9-11). It turns out, the very thing Paul is arguing for, salvation by faith not works, is the very thing the sinners prayer has become, a work…
…
continue reading
Today we take a deep dive into one of the prooftext for original sin, Genesis 3. This story is typically described as a falling down but perhaps it can be better understood as a waking up. Just as the eyes of Adam and Eve are opened, so our eyes will be opened to the good news that lies at the heart of this story.…
…
continue reading
Central to the evangelical notion of salvation is original sin. The belief that humans are born broken, flawed, and separated from God. One prooftext is Genesis 3. Turns out, just as Adam and Eve were lied to in the story, we were lied to about the story. Original sin is nowhere to be found. What can be found? The fundamental truth that the core of…
…
continue reading
We are given three images in the Old Testament of salvation. The first is in Exodus. Here, Salvation is about liberation. The second is in Isaiah. Here, salvation is about return from exile. Third is in Psalms. Here, salvation is about enemies. All of these are about something concrete, real, literal, present, here and now. What does this mean for …
…
continue reading
Have you been saved? Have you accepted Jesus into your heart? Have you trusted Jesus to be your Lord and Savior? If you grew up evangelical, you know these were the most important questions you could ever ask. So much so, that many people spent their days obsessively, anxiously, and frequently reciting a sinner's prayer to be sure they were saved. …
…
continue reading
We sit down with author and speaker Felicia Murrell to discuss her new book, AND: The Restorative Power of Love in an Either/Or World. IN an election year where sides are being demanded, Felicia offers a third way. She proposes the way of Love that shatters all categories of left and right. Is it any wonder, Jesus said, narrow is the way that leads…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Let Us Pray? - Thoughts + Prayers + Participation
52:14
52:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:14
Ever heard the phrase, “Thoughts and Prayers?” Do you cringe at the sound of it? I am almost certain this expression began from a sincere place of sympathy. But overtime, it has become a trite, empty, and meaningless cliché. Why? Because it has become a substitute for responsibility. Today, we talk about prayer not as a substitute for responsibilit…
…
continue reading
It’s easy to lose connection to the sacredness, depth, vitality, wonder, and meaning of life. Many of us unconsciously get caught up with everyday demands and lose sight of the magic and point of it all. But what if we could pull ourselves out of ourselves from time to time? What if we could regularly reconnect with source, sacredness, depth, and m…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Let us Pray? - Prayer as Posture, Listening and Joining the General Dance
42:53
42:53
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:53
What would it look like to think about prayer as a kind of listening, to the world, to one another, to the Divine? How can we let go of our small agendas and listen for a bigger story, what Thomas Merton calls the "general dance?" How can we learn to pay attention, as an act of prayer, rather than just thinking about prayer as using words to addres…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Let Us Pray? - Sending Energy + Vibrations
1:00:45
1:00:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:45
Everything is energy. All energy creates vibrations at different frequencies. When we speak a word, it vibrates at a certain frequency. This is not psychology but physics. Now, what if prayer was no exception to this reality. What if prayer is not just about the horizontal but the vertical? What if our praying has been facing one direction for too …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Let Us Pray? - A Practice of Lament
1:01:32
1:01:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:32
What if prayer could be a practice of lament? An intentional time of ripping our heart open and giving language to that which lurks inside your internal universe. What if prayer could be naming the anger, rage, joy, and pain within you. Perhaps this type of expression could get us one step closer to finding release. This week we examine the most co…
…
continue reading
What is prayer? What is the purpose of prayer? How does it work? Do you pray? What do you pray for? Can prayer change things? If not, why do we do it? Does prayer change Gods mind? Does God answer prayer sometimes but not all the time? Have you ever prayed for someone or something and it didn’t happen? Are miracles dependent on prayer? If so, what …
…
continue reading
Many of us grew up with a particliuar image of Mary. She appears docile, meek, mild mannered like she is posing for the cover of hearth & home as a voiceless virgin passively sitting amongst fluffy sheep. But this image is not the image we are given in the narrative. It appears we have Mary all wrong. Today we will begin the process of shattering t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What Happens When We Die? - Is There A Heaven?
1:06:47
1:06:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:06:47
What were you taught about heaven? Many of us were taught that heaven is an ethereal, intangible, & immaterial place that sits somewhere above us. When we die a very small group of people will go there to live in their mansion forever. Once there, we will wear white robes, sit on clouds, play harps, and sing Chris Tomlin songs forever and ever. But…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What Happens When We Die? - Sheep + Goats
1:07:18
1:07:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:07:18
Will there be a Judgement Day when we die? Will all the wrongs be made right? Will everything that was done in the darkness be brought into the light? There is a primal impulse within all of us for people to get what they deserve. But what about the litany of ways we have contributed to the heartbreak around us? Could the desire for judgement actua…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What Happens When We Die? Pt. 4 - Jesus + Gehenna
1:02:26
1:02:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:26
Jesus once said, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Is Jesus talking about eternal conscious torment? Did He talk more about hell than any other subject? And what do we do about the part of tearing are eye out? Is thi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What Happens When We Die? Pt.3 The Valley of Hinnom
48:18
48:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:18
The English word “hell” is used roughly twelve times in the New Testament. Almost all those occasions are exclusively by Jesus himself. In one place Jesus says, “If you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire” (Mark 9:47). What does Jesus mean by this? To get at it, we must know something about the valley of Hinnom. Never heard of i…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What Happens When We Die? Pt. 2- Hell + Old Testament
54:05
54:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:05
Is Hell in the Old Testament? Why do some translations have hell in the O.T. but others do not? What did the ancient Israelites believe about the afterlife? Were they concerned about life after death? Is there any evidence they believe in life after death? How did their Egyptians neighbors influence their understanding? This week we talk about Sheo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What Happens When We Die? - The Moral Absurdity of Hell
1:08:27
1:08:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:27
Can a loving God send some to eternal torment? One response I’ve heard, “God doesn’t send anyone to hell, we send ourselves there.” Can you feel the strain in this response to absolve God of all responsibility. Why? Perhaps, it's because deep down in all of us, we intuitively know someone burning forever and ever in conscious torment is immoral no …
…
continue reading
Vision is what you want to accomplish. Mission is how you will get there. Too many companies have vision but have no idea how to accomplish that vision. Today we will talk about how we intend to accomplish our ONE thing of creating a wake up space for the world. Join us for VL 17.0- How will we do this?…
…
continue reading
In the past, our collective stretched itself thin trying to conform to all the expectations of what VL should be doing. As a result, we were unremarkable at many things. Over the last year, we have gotten clear on who we are and why we are here. Today, we want to show and tell you this ONE THING. All our energies are dialed in and we are unapologet…
…
continue reading
In Acts 21, Paul is asked, "Aren't you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorist out into the wilderness some time ago?” Paul’s response… um no, where did you hear that? How great is that story? Paul then goes on an extended riff about who he is. In today’s sermon, we cut through all the ambiguity and give you as much church…
…
continue reading
The worlds largest religion is declining on an epic scale. Religious organizations are doing everything they can to keep it all alive. Clever marketing, compelling language, good music, great coffee, and top notch kids programs are an attempt to turn the tide. But many religious leaders feel as though they are doing hospice work for the church. May…
…
continue reading
In 1955, New Hope Baptist Church began on the outskirts of Atlanta. In 2006, New Hope Baptist Church became Vinings Lake Baptist Church. In 2008, Vinings Lake Baptist Church became Vinings Lake Church. We were a traditional Baptist church We were a contemporary Baptist church We were a non-denominational church We were a progressive christian churc…
…
continue reading
Fear is the epicenter of the religious industrial complex. Remove fear and you bankrupt the business. Demolish many churches and you will discover it's built on the foundation of fear. Fear as a motivator is in more than just the religious realm. We see it in politics, click-bate tweets (now threads), and finance. Everyone knows the power of fear. …
…
continue reading
Fear is the epicenter of the religious industrial complex. Remove fear and you bankrupt the business. Demolish many churches and you will discover it's built on the foundation of fear. Fear as a motivator is in more than just the religious realm. We see it in politics, click-bate tweets (now threads), and finance. Everyone knows the power of fear. …
…
continue reading
Fear is the epicenter of the religious industrial complex. Remove fear and you bankrupt the business. Demolish many churches and you will discover it's built on the foundation of fear. Fear as a motivator is in more than just the religious realm. We see it in politics, click-bate tweets (now threads), and finance. Everyone knows the power of fear. …
…
continue reading
Our own Katie Mair shares her thoughts with the VL tribe.
…
continue reading
Our good friend, pastor, and author Josh Scott joins us at VL.
…
continue reading
What is faith? Is it something we think? Feel? Intuit? Apprehend? Is it a verb or a noun? Is it something that takes place in my heart? Mind? Soul? Can faith be strong? Weak? Can we have little faith? Big faith? Medium faith? No faith? Are there different kinds of faith? Is faith the same as belief? Is faith the same as certainty? What does it mean…
…
continue reading
What is faith? Is it something we think? Feel? Intuit? Apprehend? Is it a verb or a noun? Is it something that takes place in my heart? Mind? Soul? Can faith be strong? Weak? Can we have little faith? Big faith? Medium faith? No faith? Are there different kinds of faith? Is faith the same as belief? Is faith the same as certainty? What does it mean…
…
continue reading
What is faith? Is it something we think? Feel? Intuit? Apprehend? Is it a verb or a noun? Is it something that takes place in my heart? Mind? Soul? Can faith be strong? Weak? Can we have little faith? Big faith? Medium faith? No faith? Are there different kinds of faith? Is faith the same as belief? Is faith the same as certainty? What does it mean…
…
continue reading
What is faith? Is it something we think? Feel? Intuit? Apprehend? Is it a verb or a noun? Is it something that takes place in my heart? Mind? Soul? Can faith be strong? Weak? Can we have little faith? Big faith? Medium faith? No faith? Are there different kinds of faith? Is faith the same as belief? Is faith the same as certainty? What does it mean…
…
continue reading
What is faith? Is it something we think? Feel? Intuit? Apprehend? Is it a verb or a noun? Is it something that takes place in my heart? Mind? Soul? Can faith be strong? Weak? Can we have little faith? Big faith? Medium faith? No faith? Are there different kinds of faith? Is faith the same as belief? Is faith the same as certainty? What does it mean…
…
continue reading