Dayspring Fellowship Podcasts

Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are | Part 5 | Becoming United | Michelle Snook

Becoming UnitedEphesians: Becoming Who You AreNovember 13, 2022
I love a good musical. My favorite is probably Singin’ In the Rain... or Seven Brides For Seven Brothers... or... My Fair Lady (which I get to see in Portland with my daughter next Spring!) ...there are just so many good ones! Another that would land in my top ten would be The Music Man... the classic with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. I’ve worked with enough young interns to know that I can’t take anything for granted when it comes to the musical education of the younger generations. So, for those of you who have not yet seen this classic film, allow me to enlighten you. “Professor” Harold Hill arrives in River City, Iowa, posing as an organizer and leader of a boys' band. In reality, he’s a just a slick con man. He convinces the naïve townspeople to purchase band uniforms and instruments from him, while promising to train the young band members. But his real intentions are to skip town with their money. As you might expect, nothing goes as Professor Hill planned. I don’t want to spoil the ending for those of you who haven’t seen it. So, let’s just say that something special starts to happen when those boys put on their band uniforms. A new identity starts to be shaped, and there’s a transformation that begins to happen in the community. The boys are playing a variety of instruments – it’s not all trombones or cornets; each one playing at their own level of competence. But something about being part of the group, dressed in their uniforms but contributing their own unique ability to the band, creates something powerful among them. We are studying our way through the book of Ephesians in a series we’ve called, Becoming Who You Are. This week, we’ll be looking at the idea of unity – what it is, what it isn’t, and how we promote and protect it.  At the end of the movie, we see the uniformity of the River City boys' band, as they march in formation, all dressed alike, steps in sync. But it’s their unity – being in tune with one another, playing at the same tempo, maintaining the same rhythm, and staggering their breathing, that matters most…each one playing their part and contributing to the performance of the song. The beautiful organism that we call the church is also filled with a diverse group of people…all crafted in the image of God…but with different backgrounds, a variety of giftings, and individual uniqueness. We are not the same, but the miracle of Jesus is that unity brings it all together.

Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are | Part 4 | Becoming Rooted | Chris Voigt

Becoming RootedEphesians: Becoming Who You AreNovember 6, 2022
If you’ve been around here very long, you know that I’m a sunshine and blue skies kind of guy. Summer is my favorite time of year. I am thankful that, for the most part, our typical rainy fall weather didn’t kick in until the end of October this year. Which made for a beautiful fall. We were treated to a gorgeous display of autumn glory as the leaves turned colors, creating a tapestry of vibrant red, yellow, and orange throughout our city. The changes we see in the trees as the seasons turn are pretty spectacular. But what is even more amazing is what is going on beneath the surface, where we can’t see! The root systems of trees are really just beginning to be understood by scientists. An online article published in Smithsonian Magazine by journalist Richard Grant outlines new discoveries about the incredible things that take place within the “wood-wide-web” beneath the forest floor, as groves of trees “communicate” with one another; sharing water and nutrients, sending distress signals about drought, disease, or insect attacks, and how other trees alter their behavior when they receive these messages. In the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, giant sequoia trees grow. They are on average 200-300 ft tall, have a diameter of 25 ft, and can live up to 3,000 years! Amazingly, the root systems of sequoia trees are not that deep, but they are intricately intertwined. Sequoias grow close to each other, and the networked effect of their matted roots provides incredible strength and stability to the Sequoias. It is a powerful reminder of the strength of the community. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are in the middle of our series, Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are. This week we’ll be taking a look at what it means for us as followers of Jesus to be deeply rooted in our faith. Strong, healthy roots enable us to thrive as we grow in relationship with Christ, as a community of believers, and as the body of Christ.

Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are | Part 3 | Becoming One | Chris Voigt

Becoming OneEphesians: Becoming Who You AreOctober 30, 2022
September 1938. Tension as thick as the London fog hung heavy over the city. Less than one generation away from the horrors of World War One, Britain teetered on the edge of yet another war. Six months earlier, Hitler had annexed Austria, laying claim to everyone and everything that could fuel his ruthless march toward the creation of a greater Germany. Now, he vowed to invade Czechoslovakia on October 1. Two days before Hitler’s promised invasion date, he agreed to meet with British Prime minister Neville Chamberlain, as well as Italy’s Mussolini and French leader Daladier. The negotiations resulted in an agreement, known as the Munich Pact, which ceded part of Czechoslovakia to Hitler’s control, as well as establishing a non-aggression pact between Germany and Britain. Returning to London, Chamberlain declared, “Peace for our time!” And for a brief moment, Londoners breathed easier. But five months later, in March of ’39, Hitler annexed the rest of Czechoslovakia before invading Poland in September. The peace agreement proved as flimsy as the paper it had been written on. On September 3, 1939, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Dr. Warren Wiersbe writes, “It seems that most peace missions fail. I read somewhere that from 1500 BC to 850 AD, there were 7,500 ‘eternal covenants’ agreed on among various nations with the hope of bringing peace; but none of them lasted longer than two years.” Today, headlines from around the world continue to be filled with reports of war... from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to civil wars in Yemen and Ethiopia, conflicts in Afghanistan, Sudan, Congo, Nigeria, the drug war in Mexico, threats and concerns from North Korea and China, and the ongoing worldwide war against terrorism. There are culture wars, political strife, racial tensions, generational divides, and religious conflicts. With the myriad of things that separate, segregate, and isolate people from one another, is there any hope for lasting peace? Every attempt seems doomed to fail. We are in week three of a series we’ve titled Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are. This week, we’re taking a look at the greatest rescue mission in the history of the world. A mission that makes real peace possible. And not just possible but promised! Join us as we unpack the peace plan that God has put in place for you and for me. Peace, friend.

Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are | Part 2 | Becoming Alive | Jon Sprouse

Ephesians: Becoming Who You AreOctober 23, 2022
Tony Merida, in his commentary on the book of Ephesians. recounts the story of eclectic English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, who lived from 1748-1832. Merida writes, “He was an interesting figure in more ways than one. In Bentham’s will he apparently left a fortune to a London hospital. But there was one condition: Bentham was to be present at every board meeting. Reportedly, for more than 100 years, the remains of Jeremy Bentham were wheeled into the boardroom every month and placed at the head of the table. His skeleton was dressed with seventeenth-century garb, along with a hat, which sat on his wax head. In the minutes of every board meeting, a line read, “Mr. Jeremy Bentham, present but not voting.” Of course, he never voted because he had been dead since 1832!” I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are in the second week of our new series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are. This week, we’re unpacking the truth of what it means to be “alive in Christ.” Paul, writing to the Ephesians, says, “when we were spiritually dead, God made us alive with Christ.” To our human way of thinking, death follows life, not the other way around. But Paul wants us to see that from God’s perspective, we were “present but not voting,” physically alive, but spiritually dead, until God gave us new - everlasting - life in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are | Part 1 | Becoming Secure | Michelle Snook

Becoming SecureEphesians: Becoming Who You AreOctober 16, 2022
I would wager to guess that just about everyone watching this video has looked in a mirror at least once today. Imagine if you crawled out of bed one morning and, after making your way to bathroom, looked in the mirror and discovered that your reflection was distorted – like the image you might see in a funhouse mirror. Perhaps your nose looks too big, or your forehead too narrow, or your eyes too round. Would you wonder what was wrong with the mirror? Or would you wonder what had happened to yourself? We’re launching a new sermon series this weekend on the book of Ephesians; a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in the city of Ephesus. The series is titled: Becoming Who You Are. The book of Ephesians deals with topics that are at the very core of what it means to be a Christian; on who we are in Christ and what it should look like to live out our identity as a follower of Jesus; to not just be a believer – knowing truth – but a follower, who lives it out. Join us as we dig into the rich truths of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and discover the timeless truths that God has for us, as we live out our calling as followers of Christ in our culture and community.

Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth | Part 5 | Healthy Correction | Chris Voigt

Healthy Correction: Stop Being So NiceWired: Brain Science & Spiritual GrowthOctober 9, 2022
In Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s novel, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland, Alice asks the Cheshire Cat, “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” The cat replies, “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.” Good point. But to Alice’s credit, at least she was willing to ask for some input! An article on the ABC News website states that according to research from AAA, people older than 55 generally have the best sense of direction, getting lost just 26 times a year, on average. Which is surprisingly better than the satellite-navigation generation -- drivers younger than 25 got lost, on average, 37 times a year. Sooner or later, we all need input as we navigate the challenges of life. Having the benefit of another’s perspective can help us figure out which way to go, what step to take, what correction to make, if we’re willing to listen. We are wrapping up our series, Wired: Brain Science and Spiritual Growth this Sunday. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been looking at how God has wired our brains for character formation, and the conditions we need to cultivate in our lives, in order for us to increasingly align the core of who we are with the character of Jesus. This week, we’re looking at the last of four essential nutrients for effective character formation: healthy correction. It’s the kind of input we all need. The kind that’s rooted in joy, saturated with hesed, and flourishes in a strong community. It’s something we all want – whether you know it or not.

Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth | Part 4 | Group Identity | Chris Voigt

Group Identity: What Kind Of People Are We?Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual GrowthOctober 2, 2022
If you’ve ever driven Interstate 5 on an autumn Saturday in the Willamette Valley, you know that the freeways are often filled with vehicles decked out in the colors of the Oregon State Beavers or the Mighty Oregon Ducks. Beaver fans in black and orange, with flags, signs, and pompoms head for Reser Stadium. If you’re a Beaver fan, I commend you. You’re incredibly resilient. Being resilient takes practice, and you’ve had plenty of opportunities to develop yours over the years! And Beaver fans are loyal, which is another admirable trait. Lose or lose, you hang in there, cheering your team on. You know what it means to be a Beaver Believer and you are all in. Way to go. All kidding aside, the Beavs are off to a great start this season and I’m rooting for you...really... at least until November 26. If you’re an Oregon Duck fan, your entire fall wardrobe is green and gold; you might wear black, but only with green, never orange. You don’t even own anything orange! You only wear Nikes, and your favorite workout is doing pushups. You know a ‘quack attack’ isn’t a medical condition, and that it never rains at Autzen Stadium. And you definitely know what this means. And you...are...LOUD! Seriously loud! You know what it means to be Quacker Backers and you are HERE for it! Go Ducks!! I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, Oregon. We are in week 4 of our series, Wired: Brain Science and Spiritual Growth. Over the past few weeks, we’ve been looking at how God designed our brains and how that design impacts our spiritual growth. We’ve learned about two essential nutrients that we need for living a transformed life and this week we’ll be looking at a third: group identity. Even in a culture as fiercely independent and individualistic as ours is, we all have a deep desire to belong, to be part of something bigger than ourselves, to identify and affiliate with others. And those with whom we choose to identify, shape who we become in profound and powerful ways.Whether you’re a Beaver, Duck, Platypus, or even a Huskie... all are welcome at Dayspring. I hope you’ll join us!

Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth | Part 3 | Hesed | Chris Voigt

Hesed: Our Relational GlueWired: Brain Science & Spiritual GrowthSeptember 25, 2022
It was invented by accident in 1942. Working with a team of researchers, Dr. Harry Coover was experimenting with chemicals known as cyanoacrylates. They were working to create a clear plastic that could be used for precision gunsights by soldiers in WW II. As they worked, they discovered that the chemicals were exceptionally sticky, which made them very difficult to work with! They stuck to absolutely everything! The cyanoacrylates were rejected as a workable substance for the project, so researchers moved on to other options. It wasn’t until 1951, while working for Kodak’s chemical division, that Coover rediscovered cyanoacrylates and realized these sticky adhesives had some unique properties; specifically, they bonded without any need for heat or pressure. He and his team tried the substance with a variety of items; and every time, the items became permanently bonded together. In 1958 this ultra-sticky stuff was refined and packaged for commercial use under the name “Eastman 910.” Today, Super Glue is a widely used, fast-bonding, high-strength, instant adhesive engineered to bond almost any material. I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR. This is the third week of our series Wired: Brain Science and Spiritual Growth. We are learning some fascinating things about how God designed our brains and the way our brains impact our spiritual development. We’re also learning how to cultivate the kind of mental and emotional environment that fosters deep spiritual transformation. Last week we talked about joy. This week it’s all about love. Not your run-of-the-mill, everyday, “I love bacon” or “I love those shoes” or even, “I love the Oregon Ducks,” kind of love. This is an incredibly strong, super “sticky” kind of love... a kind that creates unbreakable bonds between people. It’s called “hesed.” And it’s a love like no other. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday. I would love to worship with you!

Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth | Part 2 | Joy | Chris Voigt

JoyWired: Brain Science & Spiritual GrowthSeptember 18, 2022
Joy.Oh joy.Joy is what brings us together today.I’ve got joy.Joy, joy, joy, joy... down in my heart. Waaaaay down in my heart. That’s where I keep it. I’m saving it for a rainy day. It’s tucked away, safe and sound. You never know when you might need it and I don’t want to run out. Ok... that was hard! I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR. And those of you who know me, know that I’m a lot more like Tigger than Eeyore! But for all the talk and singing and scripture about joy that is deeply embedded in our faith, a lot of Christ followers have neglected to let it show on their faces! Organization guru, Marie Kondo is known for asking “Does it spark joy?” when helping people decide how to declutter their home or work environment. The implication is that our joy is fueled by the things around us, the stuff we’ve acquired. When it no longer sparks joy, get rid of it and find something new. And if you look at the spending habits of people all over the world, it’s easy to see that most people have bought in (pun totally intended) to that idea... that stuff is where we find our joy. But I beg to differ.
We are in the second week of our series Wired: Brain Science and Spiritual Growth. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a look at how the brain works and the four ingredients that are essential for effective spiritual transformation. This week we are talking about joy. Real joy... where it comes from, how we get it and how we increase it. And just so you know, it’s not available on Amazon.  I’ve got the joy! Do you?

Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual Growth | Part 1 | How Do People Grow? | Chris Voigt

How Do People Grow?Wired: Brain Science & Spiritual GrowthSeptember 11, 2022
Gardening season in our area is coming to a close. The skies have been a little dusty lately as farmers across the Willamette Valley have been harvesting crops and mowing fields. The local fruit stands are filled with late summer produce; and for those who enjoy preserving the season’s bounty, this is a busy time of canning, freezing, and drying all sorts of deliciousness from the garden. Raise your hand if you enjoy gardening. Oh... well, I guess that doesn’t work as well online as it does in person. How about comment below if you enjoy gardening and tell us what your garden has produced this year! Gardening would not be on my list of favorite ways to spend my free time. It’s just not my thing. I do have a few strawberry plants in the backyard, though that’s mostly so I can enjoy them with my granddaughter, Avery. But I’m certainly thankful for the people in my life who bless me with the literal fruits of their gardening labors! And I do know that beautiful blueberries, delicious raspberries and vine-ripened tomatoes don’t just magically appear. To produce the fruit or veggies you want, you need to invest time and energy creating the right conditions for a good harvest. In much the same way, growth in other areas of life must be intentionally cultivated. Wishing you were stronger won’t make it so. Hoping to increase your bank balance won’t help your bottom line. Growth in just about every area of life requires effort.  I’m Chris Voigt, Lead Pastor at Dayspring Fellowship in Keizer, OR. This week we’re beginning a new sermon series called Wired – Brain Science & Spiritual Growth. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a look at the amazing way that God has wired our brains for growth and what we can do to cultivate the healthy soil we need to thrive as God intended! Understanding how God has created our brains will enable us to experience greater, deeper, and more lasting transformation as followers of Jesus. And that’s what we’re all about... becoming more like Him. It’s an incredible journey.