You packed the boxes. You made the move. You had a plan—or at least a solid idea of what was supposed to happen next. But now… you're stuck. Waiting. Watching doors close. Wondering how things went from hopeful to heavy so fast.

If that’s where you are right now, you're not alone. There is a section of scripture that speaks to moments just like this—when life doesn’t just throw you a curveball... it benches you completely. Psalm 91 isn’t a magic fix or a feel-good quote. It’s a raw, honest reminder that in the middle of the chaos, there’s still a place to rest. A place to feel covered, protected, and not quite so alone.

This past Sunday, Mandy Cook, who is one of our ministry partners,  shared her story of a time when everything in her life hit pause. She’d just left a job she loved, moved closer to family, and had all the pieces lined up for a fresh start. But what followed was a year of closed doors, silence, and doubt. Despite doing everything “right,” nothing seemed to move forward.

“Why would I feel called here just to feel forgotten?”
“What’s the point of trying if nothing changes?”
Maybe you've had those thoughts, too.

Psalm 91 opens with this: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Put simply? There’s a place to fall apart safely. A shelter that holds up even when everything else feels shaky. This passage doesn’t promise an easy life—it promises presence. That you're not invisible. That there is still peace to be found, even when you're stuck in the “now what?!”

Mandy didn’t find her answers right away. But she did find reminders that she wasn’t alone. Through late-night tears, quiet prayers, and the kindness of people who showed up at just the right time, she experienced a kind of steady peace she couldn’t create on her own.
If you’re feeling forgotten, left behind, or like you're shouting into a void—this is your reminder:

• You’re not crazy.
• You’re not a failure.
• And you are not alone.

We don’t always get the outcomes we expect. But we can find comfort and strength in the middle of the mess. The shadow this Psalm talks about? It’s not some far-off mystical idea. It’s a picture of being covered. Protected. Held close—even when everything else feels uncertain.
So if today feels like a question mark, take this as your comma.
Pause. Breathe.
You're still being held, even here.

Listen to Mandy's thoughts on Psalm 91

Scroll through social media and you’ll see it everywhere—sunset selfies, fresh pedicures, vacation views with the classic caption: #blessed. And sure, those moments are good. But is that really all it means to be “blessed”?

Because if we're honest, social media doesn’t always reflect real life. It’s curated, filtered, and cropped to highlight the best parts, while real life is often messy, complicated, and in process.

Psalm 67 gives us a deeper take:
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine on us…”

That part sounds nice. But keep reading:
“…so that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.”

That’s the part we don’t always think about.

According to this Psalm, blessing isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting point. It’s not just about what we get, but what we’re invited to give.
In a world where so much is done for likes and attention, this is something different. It’s quiet. It’s intentional. It’s not about getting credit—it’s about making a difference. Being a blessing doesn’t require a platform. It starts small, lives local, and often goes unnoticed. And that’s the point.

​You Don’t Need a Passport
We often think of “mission” work as something that happens overseas. But if you follow Jesus, you’re already a missionary. Not in the go-live-in-a-hut sense. In the “make an impact where you are” sense. Your neighborhood, your workplace, your daily rhythm — that’s your mission field. And sometimes the hardest places to live this out aren’t far away—they’re right next door.

Start Small. Start Local.
Here’s a simple challenge:

• Start praying for the five houses or apartments closest to you. Even if you don’t know their names. Even if you’ve only waved awkwardly once. Even if they let their dog bark at 2 a.m. Pray for them anyway. Ask God to bless them. Ask for an open door—maybe literally.
• Ask for the courage to be part of someone else’s blessing.

Mission Isn’t Always Loud
Sometimes being a blessing/missionary looks like offering help when someone’s going through it. Sometimes it’s listening without judging. Sometimes it’s showing up when everyone else has disappeared. It’s not always a sermon. It’s not always dramatic. But it is always needed.

Guidance Starts with Connection
If you’ve ever wrestled with big decisions, like where to live, what to do next, how to make an impact, know this: God’s guidance isn’t always a lightning bolt. More often, it’s quiet direction in ordinary moments. Wisdom through community. A nudge in the right direction.
You don’t need all the answers. Just a willingness to say yes when the opportunity comes.

A Bigger Picture of “Blessed”

• What if being “blessed” isn’t about getting more—but about giving more?
• What if your greatest impact isn’t measured by what you have, but by how well you love?
• What if the real adventure of faith isn’t across the ocean—but across the street?

Start there.....Pray.....Show up.....Be present.....
And watch what happens when blessing goes full circle!

July 6 Sermon
​Bless App

​Have you ever prayed and felt like no one was listening? Like your words just echoed into the void? You’re not alone. Psalm 22 opens with these raw, relatable words: “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
​
It’s not a verse that shows up on coffee mugs—but maybe it should. Because life gets heavy. Hope gets hard. And even the most faithful people have moments when God feels far away.
We don’t talk about that enough. But Scripture doesn’t avoid it. In fact, the Bible includes entire songs of lament—ancient prayers full of honest questions, exhaustion, and silence.

So what do you do when your life feels heavy and heaven feels quiet?


1. Be Honest About It
There’s something powerful about not faking it. Psalm 22 is an unfiltered cry. The writer is overwhelmed, misunderstood, mocked, and emotionally exhausted. Maybe you’ve been there. Maybe you’re there right now. Sometimes it’s not just what’s happening to us that’s hard, but what’s not happening for us. Watching others move forward while you feel stuck can weigh you down fast.
But naming that pain? That’s a kind of strength. That’s where healing starts.

2. Worship Anyway
Worship isn’t just for when everything’s going well. Sometimes it’s a quiet decision and not a loud moment. Showing up with shaky faith still counts. Maybe it counts even more.
One of the most powerful things you can do when life feels heavy is simply to keep showing up.

3. Build Spiritual Resilience
We tend to admire people with grit. Those who keep going when things get hard. That same kind of strength matters in our faith, too. Not a “fake it ‘til you make it” kind of strength, but real resilience. The kind that says: “I’m tired, but I’m not giving up.”

4. Remember What’s Still True
God’s silence isn’t the same as His absence, and His delay doesn’t mean necessarily mean His denial. Sometimes the most important things are growing under the surface, even when we can’t see them yet. Like roots in the dark. If you need more proof that God understands what you’re feeling, remember that Jesus Himself quoted Psalm 22 on the cross: “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
He knows that ache too. You’re not alone in it.

5. Let Go of the Pressure to Fix It
Faith isn’t about pretending everything’s okay. Faith is about trusting that you’re not alone in it. You weren’t created to carry the full weight of the world. You were created to be loved, led, and carried when you’re too tired to keep going.

So if you’re feeling tired today — mentally, emotionally, spiritually — know this:
You don’t have to have it all together.
You don’t need the perfect prayer.
You don’t have to force a smile.
But you can hold onto hope.
Even if it’s just by a thread.
God is closer than you think.

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and felt small? Like, really small?
The stars don’t scroll. They don’t send notifications. But something about a sky full of stars has a way of grabbing your attention. You stand there for a minute, and the questions start to bubble up:
“What’s the point of all this?”
“Do I even matter in the grand scheme of things?”

That’s the kind of moment we’re invited into in an old song written thousands of years ago. It begins like this: “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere humans that you should think about them?” (Psalm 8)

That question is still just as relevant. When the world feels loud and chaotic—or when life just feels really ordinary—it’s easy to wonder whether we actually matter to anyone. Or whether our lives are supposed to add up to something more.
Know what: You matter more than you think.
And maybe the purpose you’ve been looking for is closer than you realize.

You Weren’t an Accident
However you got here, and whatever your beliefs are about God or the universe, there’s a reason you feel the weight of that question.

• You were built for meaning.
• You were wired to wonder.
• Deep down, you want your life to count.

That’s not accidental. We live in a world that tells us we’re just a collection of cells… or just part of the noise. But what if we’re more?
What if you’re here on purpose, for a purpose?

What You Do With Your Life Still Matters
We’re all carrying influence, whether we realize it or not. The way you show up for your kids. The way you treat the people you work with. The way you show kindness to a neighbor or patience in traffic or compassion in a hard conversation. That stuff adds up. It may not trend on social media, but it matters deeply. You don’t have to be loud to live a life that makes an impact. You don’t have to have a title, platform, or following. You just have to decide what kind of person you want to be—and then live like it matters.

A Simple Reset for a Noisy World
If life’s been busy or noisy or off-center lately, here’s one way to reset:

• Look up. Literally. Put the phone down, breathe, and take in something bigger than yourself.
• Reflect. Ask yourself: Am I living in a way that reflects what I value most?
• Re-center. What would it look like to live each day like it has purpose—even in the small stuff?

You don’t need all the answers to take that step, just ask the question:  “What if I matter more than I think?”
That's the start of something new!

Hear more about Pastor Mitchell's take on Psalm 8 from 6/22 on YouTube

​Sometimes life feels overwhelming — like we’re completely surrounded by a battle we didn’t see coming. We feel under attack, unsure if we can hang on much longer. We know something’s not right, we know we’re vulnerable, but we’re not sure what we can do about it.
That’s where the psalmist finds himself in Psalm 3 — and I think many of us can relate.
He starts by crying out: “O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me…”

​Picture this: you’re completely outnumbered — there’s danger closing in from all directions — financial struggles, health issues, conflict at home or at work — whatever it might be. It feels overwhelming. It feels awful. And you’re wondering, Who’s going to come to my rescue?


The real battle
One thing Scripture makes clear is that our greatest battle isn’t against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6). Our greatest battle is against the lies we believe, disordered desires we chase, and a way of thinking that disregards God’s power and care.

• The first battle we face is self-deception — believing we’re all on our own, or that we’re not worth much, or that God isn’t there.
• The second is misordered desires — thinking happiness comes from something other than Him.
• The third is the way the world operates — a way of power and control that disregards humility, service, and peace.

Lift up your head — God is your refuge
In the chaos, we often hang our heads in shame, overwhelm, or pure exhaustion. But Scripture says:
“But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the one who lifts up my head.” (Psalm 3:3)
Picture someone cupping your face, lifting your chin upward — that's what God does for us. He helps us lift our heads and see our struggles in proper perspective. We are not defeated; we are not without refuge. Our help comes from the Lord.
“I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.”

Our battle plan: Arise, Lord
When we’re battling overwhelm, we can follow the psalmist’s lead. We can call upon God:
“Arise, Lord… deliver me.”
This isn’t a weak or wishful prayer; it's a battle plan. We’re asking God to step into our struggles and do what we cannot do ourselves — to bring peace, justice, resolution, or whatever is needed.
Beth Moore put it powerfully: “Nobody appreciates deliverance like those who’ve nearly been destroyed.”
When we come through the fire, we appreciate God’s faithfulness all the more.

We know we’ve already won
This is the best news of all: we’re not battling toward a future win — we’re battling with a guaranteed win.
Through the cross, Jesus already defeated the greatest enemies we face — sin, death, and the power of darkness.
He’s gone before us.
He’s made a way.
He’s secured our future.
And we can rest in that today.

Whatever you’re up against — financial struggles, health issues, difficult relationships — you do not fight alone.
Your God is your refuge.
He lifts your head.
He answers your prayers.
He’s already gone before you — and through Him, we’re more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37)

We live in a culture that praises independence. Be your own boss. Set your own pace. Do your own thing. You do you. But what if “you do you” isn’t actually freedom? Psalm 2 tells the story of nations rising up and saying, “Let us break their chains and free ourselves from slavery to God.” In other words: We want to live without limits, do whatever we want, and answer to no one. Sound familiar?

If we’re honest, many of us are exhausted chasing the version of freedom the world sells. We work harder, scroll longer, strive for more... and still come up short. The lie of self-made freedom. Here’s the truth: Freedom isn’t about independence. Freedom is about submitting to the right authority. And that might feel countercultural—because it is.

Real freedom isn’t found in autonomy. It’s found in interconnectedness—in knowing we belong to something bigger than ourselves. We weren’t created to exist apart from God… we were made to thrive with Him at the center. Like a fish out of water. C.S. Lewis once described a fish flopping on the shore as a picture of false freedom. Sure, the fish is technically “free” from the water—but that kind of freedom is fatal. The fish was made for water. That’s where it breathes, moves, and lives.

You and I? We were made for relationship with God. That’s our water. When we try to live outside of it, we’re not free—we’re just gasping.
The real power of living differently. Jesus once said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” But right before that, He added, “If you remain faithful to my teachings, then you are truly my disciples.” So freedom isn’t just about knowing the truth. It’s about living it. That’s where the power comes in. Jesus calls us to live differently. In a world where everyone’s chasing platform, power, and influence, He invites us to pursue humility. In a culture that tells us to chase comfort, He points us toward purpose.

“But among you, it will be different.” — Luke 22:26

And I believe it can be different. If you’ve been feeling that pull—that quiet sense that there must be more than just doing your own thing and keeping up appearances—then maybe Jesus is inviting you to live differently too. You already belong. One of the most powerful truths in Scripture is that God calls us His sons and daughters. Not because we’ve earned it. Not because we finally got it together. But because of His grace. That’s divine sonship. And it’s already yours in Jesus.

The question is: 
Are we living like we belong to Him?
Are we living in a way that points back to the Father?

If not—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. And the good news is that Jesus doesn’t just call us to be different—He gives us the Spirit to make us different. So if today’s the day you realize you’ve been chasing a version of freedom that isn’t really freedom, I want to invite you to pray a simple prayer: "Jesus, make me different. Help me live like I belong to you."

A Few Questions to Reflect On:

• What kind of “freedom” have I been chasing?
• Where in my life have I bought into self-deception?
• How might God be inviting me to live differently today?

True freedom isn’t about doing whatever I want.
It’s about becoming who I was made to be.
And that’s not just a Sunday thing.
That’s an everyday thing.  ~Pastor Mitchell Shiver

Summer's here, and if you're a parent, you probably started the season starry-eyed, full of plans and optimism. But by mid-July? You're counting the days until school starts and wondering how you’ve already maxed out your mental energy.

It’s not just the calendar—it’s the decisions. Every snack, screen time limit, bedtime battle, and road trip plan adds up. Studies say the average person makes about 35,000 conscious decisions a day. No wonder we feel tapped out.

This isn’t just a modern problem. Scripture has something to say about how we navigate life’s nonstop decision-making—and how we avoid drifting into places we never meant to go.

Decision Fatigue Is Real
There’s even a term for the mental exhaustion we feel: decision fatigue. The more choices we face, the more likely we are to avoid them altogether—or to make choices we regret. Sound familiar?

Maybe you’ve felt it in your marriage. One of you wants to talk through every detail, the other goes with gut feelings. That tension? It’s not just annoying—it’s actually a sign that your decision-making styles are rubbing against each other. It takes intentionality to find a rhythm that honors both.

Or maybe you’ve had those moments where you realize you’ve drifted. Not with one big decision, but with dozens of tiny ones—skipping prayer here, a little compromise there. Suddenly you look up and wonder, How did I get here?

The Psalms Offer a Better Way
Psalm 1 paints a powerful picture of two roads: one that leads toward life, peace, and God... and one that slowly veers off course.
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord...” —Psalm 1:1-2

Did you catch the drift? First you’re walking. Then you’re standing. Then you’re sitting. It’s subtle. You don’t even notice the shift until you’ve taken up residence in a mindset or habit you never intended.
Christine Caine says it best: “When we begin to drift in any area of our lives, it’s subtle, hardly even noticeable... We don’t drift because we aren’t strong or haven’t walked with Christ for many years. It just happens.”

The good news? You’re not stuck. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. The next small, intentional decision toward Jesus is always the right one.

So What Can You Do?
Here are a few practical steps to fight decision fatigue and stay on the path that leads to life:

• Check your markers. Ask yourself regularly: Am I still walking in step with God, or have I slowly veered off course?
• Simplify where you can. Not every decision is urgent. Reduce the noise so you have clarity for the things that do matter.
• Include God in the small stuff. He cares about your marriage, your parenting stress, your summer schedule, and even your vacation plans.
• Invite accountability. Talk to your spouse or a trusted friend about how you make decisions—and how you can support each other in wise choices.
• Don't fear the drift—correct it. The goal isn’t guilt. It’s growth. One faithful step back in the right direction can reset your course.

Want to keep growing through the summer? We’re spending the next several weeks taking a “Summer Road Trip through the Psalms”—exploring how these ancient songs speak to our everyday lives. Whether you’re home or traveling, stay connected with us on social and follow along.

Can You Truly Know God? Exploring a Deeper Relationship Beyond Knowledge
The other day, I found myself in a heated debate with a friend over the best pizza place in America. My friend dropped a line that stuck with me: “You can’t have an opinion unless you’ve actually been there.” It struck me how often this principle applies to life—and, more profoundly, to faith. Knowing about a great pizza spot isn’t the same as experiencing it firsthand. In much the same way, knowing about God is vastly different from truly knowing Him.

Knowing About God vs. Knowing Of God

It’s easy to gather facts about God—reading theology books, memorizing Scripture, or even attending church weekly. But as A.W. Tozer once said, “To truly know God, we must long for Him with no other motive than reaching God Himself.” A true relationship with God is not built on secondhand knowledge but on personal encounter and intimacy with Him.
Simon Peter captures this beautifully in 2 Peter 1:1-4, where he writes about receiving “everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him.” This isn’t mere intellectual knowledge; it’s transformative. Knowing God means participating in His divine nature, escaping the corruption of the world, and experiencing the promises of grace, peace, and righteousness.

The God Who Can Be Known

One of the most remarkable truths of the Christian faith is that God can indeed be known. He isn’t a distant Creator, indifferent to the world He made. Instead, He reveals Himself to us in creation, Scripture, and ultimately through Jesus Christ.
Paul reminds us in Romans 1:20 that God’s eternal power and divine nature are “clearly seen” in creation, leaving humanity “without excuse.” Genesis 1:27 goes further, telling us we were made in God’s image—a reflection of His glory and character. But the most vivid revelation of God comes through Jesus, who said in John 17:3, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
Jesus is not just the key to understanding God; He is the key to knowing Him personally. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus bridges the gap between Creator and creation, offering us the opportunity to enter into a personal relationship with the living God.

From Inference to Reality

Many people infer God’s existence from the evidence around them but stop short of seeking a relationship. However, as Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.” Knowing God personally begins with His initiative, but it requires our response—a step of faith to move from knowledge about God to an encounter with Him.
As J.I. Packer wisely observed, “What matters supremely is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it—the fact that He knows me.”
True knowledge of God is experiential, intimate, and life-changing. It’s an invitation to go beyond facts and discover the joy of being fully known and loved by the Creator of the universe.
So, just like tasting the pizza before forming an opinion, don’t settle for secondhand faith. Take the step to truly know God—not just about Him, but of Him.
​

​Habits Over Resolutions: A Call to Transformation

As we step into a new year, many people resolve to make changes—get healthier, build better relationships, or grow spiritually. But resolutions often fizzle out. Why? Because they lack the structure of habits, which are the true catalysts for transformation.
In reflecting on the state of our church and the past year, it’s clear that the consistent, faith-filled actions of our community have paved the way for growth and impact. From personal health crises to bold initiatives like Forward in Faith, we’ve seen God move through persistent steps of obedience and trust. Habits, not one-time efforts, have brought us to where we are today and will carry us into the future.

A Year of Gratitude and Growth

2024 was filled with challenges and triumphs. Personally, I experienced God’s healing power during an unexpected health crisis in Australia, a moment that reminded me of the strength of our church family’s prayers and generosity. This spirit of unity continued through our Forward in Faith initiative, with 31 families making commitments to give sacrificially.
We also witnessed incredible milestones: baptisms that celebrated life transformation, a picnic uniting our campuses and languages, and our Hispanic campus setting the standard for discipleship. Each of these moments was fueled by people stepping into habits of faithfulness—praying, giving, serving, and sharing.

Looking Ahead: More Than Sunday

As we move into 2025, the phrase “More Than Sunday” has become our rallying cry. Following Jesus isn’t about a one-hour experience; it’s about a daily commitment to live transformed lives. In John 1:35-42, we see Jesus inviting His disciples into a journey of connection, transformation, and mission. The same invitation extends to us today: to walk with Him beyond Sunday mornings and into every corner of our lives.

Building Habits for Spiritual Growth

Transformation starts small. Just as you wouldn’t attempt to run ten miles without training, you don’t need to overhaul your spiritual life overnight. Begin with small, consistent steps:

• Spend five minutes in God’s Word daily.
• Pray intentionally, even if just for a moment.
• Worship consistently, not just on Sundays but throughout your week.

These habits may seem insignificant at first, but their cumulative effect will change your heart, deepen your faith, and transform your life.
As Os Guinness wisely noted, “If the church becomes detached from Jesus Christ and His Word, it cannot grow, however active and successful it may seem.”

Staying connected to Christ through consistent habits ensures true spiritual growth and alignment with His will.

A Legacy of Transformation

Our mission at Legacy Church is to connect people to Christ, one another, and God’s mission. This year, we invite you to join us in living “More Than Sunday.” Let’s be a church known for habits that reflect Christ’s love—habits that transform not just our lives but also our communities.

​Start today. Take one small step. Together, as we build habits of faith, we’ll see God’s transformative power at work, creating a legacy that lasts far beyond Sunday.