#089: An Amazing Redemption

This is my year-end podcast and includes two different talks - the Christmas Eve sermon, “An Amazing Plan” and my last talk of the year, “An Amazing Redemption.” We talk about God’s purpose for our lives, how He turns our messiness into His holiness. I also share the fun story of how Mary Kay and I found out we were going to be grandparents again.

During the podcast I mention my daughters' new podcast, SisterLit. Check it out here.

Music for this week's podcast is "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" by the New Glenn Miller Orchestra.

#088: An Amazing Exchange

I talk about Super Bowl week for pastors and share some of my favorite Christmas media traditions.

In the sermon, we consider the greatest Christmas gift exchange ever - between us and God. We give Him our worries, our hurts, and our griefs. He, in exchange, gives us His peace, His healing, and His joy.

Music for this week's podcast is "Twas The Night Before Christmas" by Dave Koz.

#087: An Amazing Encounter

Mark talks about this past week at home and Church Requel: taking Gene to Cleveland Clinic, celebrating with Jillian, getting ready for Christmas, making a movie with the kiddos at CR. We listen to the Barnes family sing "Jesus What A Wonderful Child."

We also listen to this weekend's sermon, the 2nd in the Christmas series. Christmas happened because of a world of mistakes. We are all mistake ridden. That's exactly why Jesus came as a baby in a manger. In this message from Pastor Mark Pierce, we learn 4 things Jesus wants us to know about our mistakes and how it affects our relationship with Him.

#086: The Christmas Concert

We enjoyed a Christmas concert Friday night with Jeff Anderson. Mark interviews Jeff and then replays some of Jeff's concert talk along with one song, "O Holy Night." We wrap up the podcast with Sunday's sermon, "An Amazing Announcement."

You can follow Jeff on his website, jeffandersononline.com, his Twitter feed, @jeffaofficial, or his Facebook page, facebook.com/jeffandersononline.

#085: 6 More Reasons To Be Thankful

God's Word teaches Christ-followers to be thankful in all circumstances - 365 days a year - in good times and in bad. Sunday I taught 6 more reasons why our thanksgiving is so important for us.
I also talk about everything from this past Thanksgiving Thursday to Black Friday to Football Saturday to Decorating Sunday to Cyber Monday!

Here is the 60-Minutes video link about Amazon's futuristic Prime Air delivery service.

I mentioned these three great photo albums from this past Sunday, created by Diana.

We also talk about two different videos. The first is our home-made Thanksgiving video. The second is "The Thanksgiving Chair," which we played at the end of the sermon. You really should watch this after you've listened to the sermon.

Music for this week's podcast is "Black Friday" by Steely Dan.

#084: 6 Reasons To Be Thankful Every Day Of The Year

We celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday one day a year. The Bible tells us, though, that we should be thankful 365 days a year. In this week's podcast, we talk about 6 reasons why Christ-followers should always celebrate Thanksgiving.

I mentioned this video recorded in 2012 about our ministry one year ago. Read last year's Thanksgiving sermon.

I talked about this music video, "Shake," by Mercy Me.

Here's more info about the Christmas concert on December 6th.

The music on this week's podcast is "Don't Be A Turkey Just Say Thanks" recorded by Jim Wideman and written by Yancey.

#083: 3 More Ways To Deal With Difficult People

How do you handle the difficult crazy makers in your life? In this week's podcast, I explain the difference between forgiveness and trust. We consider 3 more Biblical responses. Refuse to play their game. Refuse to cave in. Always take the high ground.

We also catch you up on all the Church Requel news of the week, including a description of how the Christmas concert with Jeff Anderson came about. Lots going on these days at CR! Here's a link to Jeff's website. Here's a link to his Facebook page concert invitation.

This week's podcast music is "I Want Crazy" by Hunter Hayes.

#082: 3 Ways To Deal With Difficult People

How do you handle the demanding, deafening, discontented, disapproving, destructive, and demeaning crazy makers in your life? In this talk we consider 3 Biblical responses. Refuse to be offended. Don't wait for an apology to forgive. Refuse to gossip. The sermon begins at 43:40 in the podcast.

I also talk about Veteran's Day at church, the dedication of our "City of Churches" banner, the KidsMin Heaven teaching and the kiddos' responses, and why preaching funerals are even better than preaching weddings for this pastor!

The music from this week's podcast is "Here's To America" performed by the U.S. Army Band. This is from the Veteran's Day Honor album, free today from Amazon.com mp3 music store.

081: Escaping The People Pleaser Trap

Escaping the People Pleaser prison means dealing with the Crazy Maker that's inside of you, telling you that you're not good enough, that you have to measure up to what they have in mind for you. In this talk we'll learn 6 facts we must memorize for the next time we feel pressured to please anyone else besides our Heavenly Father.

My guest this week is my partner down at the Point of Grace, Pastor Paul Lintern. We talk about this past year and some exciting new plans we have for Church Requel.

Here's the link to the "It's Our Time" video from Igniter Media that I mentioned in the podcast.

The music for this week's podcast is the theme from "The Odd Couple."

#080: People Pleaser Trap

The biggest crazy maker in your life could be you! Are you trying to please everyone around you? We learn 5 reasons why being a people pleaser could be a trap. Sermon notes are here if you want to follow along. The photo above is from our Belong Class on Saturday.

I mentioned our Belong Class online. You can connect here.

Music for this week's podcast is People Pleaser by The Spanish Channel.

#079: 7 Steps To Resolve Conflict

The Bible teaches 7 steps to conflict resolution: (1) take the initiative; (2) confess my part; (3) listen for the hurt; (4) consider their perspective; (5) tell the truth tactfully; (6) fix the problem not the blame; and (7) focus on reconciliation not resolution.

Music for this week's podcast is "(What's So Funy About) Peace, Love, and Understanding" by Nick Lowe.

#078: Initiating Conflict Resolution

What is the first step to resolve conflict? To take the initiative. Yet we fear resolving conflict. And most of us don't really know exactly how to go about it. We talk about how to overcome our fear of initiating conflict and how to resolve conflict at the right time.

Music for this week's podcast is "We Work It Out" by Joni Harms.

#077: The Divine Dance of Crazy Love

Todd Pierce teaches at Church Requel this weekend. We learn about the Drenched Doormat, the Defiant Dictator, the Desolate Dodger, and the Detached Deserter. Will we choose our way or God's way? One alternative leads us to the Diabolical Disarray. The other leads us to the Divine Dance of Crazy Love!

Music for this weekend's podcast is "Crazy Love" by Hawk Nelson.

#076: How To Disarm Your Button Pushers

This week we talk about 5 ways to disarm your button pushers.

#075: Who's Pushing Your Buttons?

This week we talk about four ways people often express their anger - the Machine Guns, the Mutes, the Martyrs, and the Manipulators. Then we talk about the first strategy to use when you are angry and you want to keep it under your control.

Music for this week's podcast is "Move" by Mercy Me.

#074: Three More Keys To Peace In Relationships

This week's podcast includes last weekend's sermon, "Three More Keys To Peace In Relationships." The photo for this weekend's podcast is by Dave Johnson, who took a panorama of our church during workship. Thanks Dave!

 

#73: New KidsMin Launched

We launched our new KidsMin children's ministry yesterday with the new LIVE curriculum from Group.com. I invited Diana Devolder as my guest to talk about the fantastic results. Plus we share the first sermon in the You Make Me Crazy sermon series - "Three Keys To Peace In Relationships."

Music for this week's podcast is "I Want Crazy" by Hunter Hayes.

#072: Bringing Children To Jesus

Mary Kay Pierce is my guest on this Labor Day edition of the Church Requel Audio Podcast. We talk about the exciting things happening at CR this Fall. We also listen to Sunday's CR talk, "Bringing Children To Jesus."

Music for this week's podcast is "Into The Bible" from LIVE Children's Curriculum.

#071: Life Unlimited

Church Requel is growing! The cover art for this week's podcast compares the photo from this past weekend's church picnic to the year before. I talk about that and share the final sermon in the Positive ID in Christ sermon series. This week's sermon title is "Life Without Limits." We discuss the final two fingerprints of our Christian identity - that we are completely forgiven and that we are fully capable.

The music on this week's podcast is the song, "Build Your Kingdom Here," by Rend Collective Experiment. The recording is from this past weekend at Church Requel and features Dave Johnson, Christy Anne Pierce, Jana Edwards and Ryan Shoemaker.

#070: My Identity In Christ

When you know who you are in Christ, it changes how you see yourself and everyone else! Pastor Steve Thoman discusses the first three fingerprints of our Christian ID. Also Mark and Steve talk about the book bag giveaway, the record attendance at CR, and Mark's visit to another new church - The Summit Church in  Green, Ohio.

Music for this week's podcast is Praise Like Fireworks by Rend Collective Experiment.

069: Identity Theft

Has your identity in Christ been lost? Today we learn how people go from a lost identity to a found identity. We also continue our conversation with Diana Devolder, our new Children's Ministry Director. The picture above is of Sara Scott, who was baptized Sunday morning. We hope to have her testimony and baptism video up within the next 2 weeks.

Music for today's podcast is "Build Your Kingdom Here" by Rend Collective Experiment

#068: Winning With The Hand I'm Dealt

We start this week's podcast with an interview of Diana Devolder, the new Children's Ministry Director at Church Requel. Exciting news! We follow that up with Sunday's sermon, "Winning With The Hand I'm Dealt." Life is like a game of poker. You have to play with the hand you're dealt. We talk about 5 factors that make you who you are along with 5 winning choices.

The curriculum that Diana talks about is Live from Group.com.

Music on this week's podcast is "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me.

#067: Facing My Insecurities

What a great week at Church Requel! Listen to Sheri's baptism. Hear the exceptionally good news that going on a CR these days. Then listen to 3 causes and 3 Biblical solutions to our insecurities.

Here's the video link of Brandi singing to the children I talked about in the podcast.

Music for this week's podcast is "Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave.

066: Do I Know Who I Am?

Once you know who you really are, you are going to be able to handle life so much better. In this first lesson of the Creating a Positive ID sermon series, we learn the 4 benefits of knowing who you really are - maturity, responsibility, priorities, and destiny!

Music for this week's podcast is "Identity" by Israel Houghton.

065: God's Antidote To Fearing Your Future

It's completely natural for us to worry about our future because none of us know what the future holds. If we are Christ-followers, however, Psalm 23:6 gives us three great reasons that we shouldn't fear the future. God is watching over us. Grace is working in us. And Heaven is waiting for us! This week's podcast combines two week's sermons into one audio experience. I hope it is as helpful to you as it has been for me and our congregation at Church Requel.

Music for this week's podcast is "Heaven" by Salvador.

#064: God's Antidote To Your Hurt

When you're hurt in life - and everybody is at one time or another - it helps to know what works and what doesn't. This week we talk about the five things that don't work before turning our attention to Psalm 23:5 to learn about the three things that do work.

Joining me on the podcast this week is my daughter, Jillian Vincent, who counsels with hurting people as her profession.

Music for this week's podcast is "Terminals" by Relient K.

#063: God's Antidote To Dark Valleys

Everyone has either just been through a valley, is going through a valley, or will soon go through a valley. Dark Valleys are inevitable, unpredictable, impartial, temporary and purposeful. In this week's podcast we discuss three things to do when you find yourself in a dark valley.

My guest this week is most special - Mary Kay Pierce, my wife and the director of NAMI-Richland County. Together we talk about the unusual experiences we've shared recently. You'll also discover how Mary Kay turned her difficult moments with a family member's mental illness and now has help hundreds of other families, who are also going through those same difficult moments.

The music for this week's podcast is "Rainy Days and Mondays" by the Carpenters.

#062: God's Antidote to Indecision

We make decisions and then our decisions make us. Every decision has a consequence in our life. We are who we are today largely because of the decisions we've made in the past. Pastor Steve Thoman shares 4 ways to get guidance from God when we are making decisions.

Music for this week's podcast is "Undecided" by The Ames Brothes.

#061: God's Antidote To Damaged Emotions

Do you sometimes struggle with guilt, grief, or grudges? Sure you do! You wouldn't be human if you didn't. We all have damaged emotions. Fortunately God wants to "restore my soul." In this sermon we'll talk about how to let God remove my guilt, relieve my grief, and replace my grudges. We'll also get caught up with the most recent leadership decisions at Church Requel!

Music for this week's podcast is "Counting On God" by Desperation Band.

#060: God's Antidote to Busyness

Stressbuster #2 in the 23rd Psalm is God's antidote for busyness. Do you know how to really R.E.L.A.X. the way God intends? This is the Church Requel sermon from June 2nd. Many thanks to Rick Warren and Saddleback Resources for providing the original work, which serves as the basis for the Stressbusters series.

The music for this week's podcast is "Busy Man" by Steven Curtis Chapman.

#059: God's Antidote To Worry

Church Requel made the most of Memorial Day this past Monday with a flag dedication and a downtown parade that started at our own front door! Listen to the "talk before the talk" as well as the talk about the "talk before the talk." What are we talking about? Listen to the podcast! We also include Sunday's sermon, "God's Antidote To Worry," part 1 of the Summer Stressbusters sermon series.

Here's the link to the WebMD article about the physical effects of worrying.

Music for this week's podcast is "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin.

#058: Godficiency

This week I talk about the big wedding day last Saturday, followed by another big day Sunday. My brother, Todd, filled the CR pulpit for me Sunday and preached a great message, "Godficiency." Much of the discussion in the first half of the podcast comes from some great dialog between Todd and me and then between Steve and me. This is one of those podcasts I think you'll want to listen to multiple times. At least I will.

Music for this week's podcast - predictably - is "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman. This is the music that Jessica and I danced to for our Father-Daughter dance on Saturday.

#057: Wedding Week

We are in high wedding mode this week at the Pierce household. I invite my daughters Jessica and Jennifer to share a little bit about this week's plans. Also, we added two new people to our leadership team at Church Requel this week. I talk about that decision. Finally, we include last week's Mother's Day sermon, "6 Characterstics of a Mother's Faith."

Music for this week's podcast is "Get Me To The Church On  Time" by Nat King Cole.

#056: This Is The Day

This is the only day we have so let's celebrate today. We can't change our yesterdays. We have no guarantee of tomorrow. Join me for this very special podcast as I remember my friend Michael, who died suddenly last month. In this talk we learn how to make the most of each and every day. At the beginning of the podcast, I bring you up to speed with all the great things happening at Church Requel.

Music for this week's podcast is "Today Is The Day" by Lincoln Brewster.

#055: Bicycle Morning

This week's podcast includes some personal updates. I'm planning on biking around town a lot more and am training for GOBA. The half marathon is coming up this Saturday. Will I be ready? I talk a bit about Jessica's wedding plans - coming up soon on May 18th! I read the lyrics of the Cinderella song and fight getting choked up. We hope to add at least one new leader to our team, maybe two. What do we look for in a leader? I talk about the 3 C's. Yesterday was a planning day for me, so I let you in on our sermon plans for the next 3 months. Finally, we play back last weekend's last Toxic sermon: "Toxic Religion."

Here are the links for everything mentioned in this week's podcast:

• The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure website.
• Cap City Half Marathon celebration.
• "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman on YouTube.
• "3 C's" by Bill Hybels at Willowcreek (PDF)
• Music for this week's podcast is "Bicycle Morning" by Billy Sans

#054: Toxic Words

In this week's podcast we talk about how to handle toxic words in our lives - words others say to us as well as words we repeat to ourselves. I also talk about this past week's CR worship experience, including celebrating a young Kindergardener, who makes a public confession of faith.
Here are links to the things mentioned in this week's CR Podcast:

• More information about the portable baptistry can be found here.
• Andy Stanley's leadership podcast can be found here.
• The Catalyst Leaders' podcast can be found here.
• The Beyond Pod podcast app can be found here.
• The Apple Podcast app can be found here.
• The Instacast podcast app can be found here.

Music for this week's Church Requel Audio Podcast is "Words" by Hawk Nelson.

#053: Game Night

This week on the podcast we go to both ends of the emotional spectrum. I talk about the fun of game night last Friday. On a personal note I talk about my plans to attend my 8th GOBA - the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure in June. I also share an audio preview of my Saturday News Journal Viewpoint essay responding to the Boston Marathon bombing. Finally I playback last Sunday's sermon, "Toxic Relationships."

Music on this week's podcast is "We Go Together" by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John from the Grease Soundtrack album.

#052: Toxic Influences

This week I talk about the week after Easter and the fun involved in keeping the excitement level high. We also include the second sermon in the Toxic series, "Toxic Influences."

Music for this week's podcast is "Rise Up and Praise Him" by Paul Baloche.

#051: Glorious Day

Easter Sunday was certainly a glorious day at Church Requel. Get caught up with all the great things happening at Church Requel by listening to episode 51. Pastor Mark talks about the behind-the-scenes stories behind this past weekend along with plans for upcoming Sundays. Also included in this podcast is the sermon from Easter Sunday: "Toxic Thoughts."

Music for this week's podcast is "Happy Day" by Tim Hughes.

#050: Be Happy Do Good

This week I talk about the tragic loss of a former partner and good friend. This week's sermon was written for me, but I didn't know it at the time. "When The Cheering Stops: 5 Questions To Ask About My F.A.I.T.H."

Music for this week's podcast is "Blessed Be Your Name" by Robin Mark

#049: The Sequel

This week's podcast is filled with zip-a-dee-doo-dah goodness! It was one of those Sundays when everything went even better than planned. Listen to my version of how wonderful this past weekend was and how we respond to good news. Then, about 30 minutes into the podcast, you'll hear the weekend sermon: "The Sequel: How To Share My Faith With Others."

Music for this week's podcast is "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" by Louis Armstrong.

#048: The Kedging Trick

This week I talk about some personal goals that use the Kedging Trick. Then I update on the great progress made this past week at Church Requel. Finally, I share the sermon from last weekend: "How To Develop A Christ-like Character."

Music on this week's podcast is "Don't Stop Believin'" by Axel Force.

#047: 7 Principles of Giving [Podcast]

In this podcast I use the first 20 minutes to talk about the CR ministry. This is followed by two sermons from February 24th and March 3rd, parts one and two of "7 Principles of Giving." Both sermons come from the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25.

Music for this week's podcast is "Give It All Away" by Sidewalk Prophets.

#046: Relating Wisely

How do we relate wisely with other people? On this week's podcast we'll discover six ways to be wise in our relationship from James 3:13-18. I also catch up with what's been going on this past week in the Church Requel ministry.

Music for this week's podcast comes from "You Are The Way" by Rick Muchow.

#045: Lent Is Like A Box Of Chocolates

The podcast is very special this week. I share 3 talks! (1) Kids'sermon "Follow The Directions." Listen as the children and I whip up a batch of brownies right in church, while I teach them the value of reading their Bibles. (2) The sermon from last Sunday, "Plot Lines: The Golden Rule of the Christian Life." We talk about why doing to others as we would have them do to us keeps us on the narrow path. Finally (3) and my favorite, by the way, "Lent Is Like A Box of Chocolates." I tell the story of how I learned about Lent with a couple of humorous stories.

Music for this week's podcast is "All I Want Is You" by Phil Wickham.

#044: The A.U.T.H.O.R. Of Your Life

This week Mark talks about a local family's tragic house fire, feeding 120 people in the neighborhood, and the funny story of leaving his mobile phone on during his sermon. And we have the 2nd sermon in the My Story sermon series, "Ghostwriting: Making Jesus the A.U.T.H.O.R. of My Life."

The music for this week's podcast is "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield.

#043: Starting With "The End"

What story are you telling with your life? We each have a story! We kick off the new sermon series, "My Story," by Starting With "The End." In this week's podcast we talk about what's happening at Church Requel, with the neighborhood meal this coming weekend, the continuing wiring of the old sanctuary with new tech, and Mark talks a little about the upcoming wedding plans for Jessica!

Music for this week's podcast is "The End" by Matthew West.

#042: Choosing My Future

We are who we are today because of the choices we have made in the past. It follows then that we will have the future we will have tomorrow because of the choices we make today. We are quite literally "choosing our future." In this talk we learn 4 life-shaping choices from the life of Moses.

Music for this week's podcast comes from "Forward To The Future" by O.C. Overtones.

#041: Every Little Thing

Every little thing we do can bring glory to our Lord. This week at Church Requel has seen a whole lot of little things accomplished that has moved us closer to where we want our church to be. I talk about those little things plus I share last weekend's sermon: "Keeping My Confidence."

Music for this week's podcast is from  "Do Everything" by Steven Curtis Chapman.

#040: Taking Care of Business

In this edition of the Church Requel Audio Podcast, I talk about the business of transitioning to a new location, while keeping a positive attitude. I review Michael Cheshire's new book: How To Knock Over a 7-Eleven and Other Ministry Training. The back half of the podcast is the sermon from last weekend, "CR in 2013: Up, In and Out."

This week's music is "Taking Care of Business" by Bachman Turner Overdrive.