Central Lutheran Church - Elk River

Where do you find your joy? Is it in delicious food, exciting vacations, meaningful relationships, or good health? These sources of happiness seem natural—but what happens when they're taken away?

In this eye-opening exploration of Philippians 3, Ben Carruthers guides us through the Apostle Paul's radical perspective on joy. Writing from a Roman prison, Paul makes a shocking claim: all his impressive credentials ...

Ever caught yourself nodding along when someone says, "I'm spiritual but not religious"? This reflexive distinction has become commonplace in our culture, but what are we really saying when we make this claim?

Ryan dives deep into this modern spiritual paradigm, examining how many people approach faith like a buffet—selecting appealing elements while leaving behind anything that causes discomfort or demands ...

What glasses are you wearing? How we view reality fundamentally shapes everything about our lives – our choices, our relationships, our definition of "the good life." In this illuminating exploration of Philippians 2, we dive deep into the ancient Greek concept of "phronesis" – a way of seeing that encompasses far more than mere thinking.

Paul challenges the Philippians (and us) to adopt a revolutionary...

Have you ever wondered what makes a place truly sacred? Ryan explores the fascinating contrast between ancient beliefs about holy places and a more personal understanding of sacred spaces.

Throughout history and across religious traditions, certain locations—mountains, rivers, trees, boulders—have been designated as inherently holy. The Hebrew Scriptures are filled with these sacred geographical markers, like Moses encount...

What if I told you that regardless of your circumstances, you simply cannot lose? That's the radical truth Paul communicates from his prison cell to the Philippian church. Looking at a man who's been beaten, shipwrecked, starved, rejected, and now faces possible execution, we'd expect despair. Instead, we hear the triumphant declaration: "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

This message ...

Have you ever wondered if there's more to spiritual conviction than just feeling bad about your sins? That nagging feeling might actually be an invitation to something deeper and more transformative.

Taking you on a journey from my Christian upbringing through my time with Youth with a Mission, I share a personal revelation about what conviction truly means. It's not simply God making you feel guilty—it's a ...

Discover the radical counterculture of joy through the lens of Philippians, a letter penned by a man awaiting possible execution. Pastoral Associate Sonja Knutson launches our new sermon series "Joy Anyway" by unpacking why this brief 104-verse book continues to captivate Christians worldwide despite—or perhaps because of—its origin story.

What kind of person writes about joy from a prison cell? Paul's extra...

Ever wonder if we've lost something vital in our modern rush to demystify the world? Ryan explores one of the most fascinating paradoxes in spiritual history: how ancient Israelites built an ornate temple for God, only to realize that no building could contain the divine presence.

The temple wasn't just a building—it was a teaching tool. Through rituals and sacred spaces like the Holy of Holies, people learned ho...

"Does anybody really love me?" It's a question that echoes in the depths of our hearts. For those who grew up without a father—or with complicated father relationships—this question carries extra weight, especially on Father's Day.

Growing up without my father after years of family turmoil, I discovered that love and approval became synonymous. I built what psychologists call a "false self"—a ...

Have you ever wondered why spiritual clarity often follows periods of inner turmoil? In this reflective episode, we explore the powerful story of Elijah from 1 Kings—a narrative that perfectly captures the spiritual rollercoaster many of us experience.

Elijah's journey takes us from the triumphant heights of Mount Carmel, where he spectacularly defeats the prophets of Baal, to the depths of despair in the wilderness w...

What if celebration isn't just something we do when life is going well, but a spiritual discipline we need to cultivate intentionally? In this eye-opening exploration of sacred celebration, we discover that God actually commanded his people to celebrate regularly—not as an optional add-on to faith, but as an essential practice for spiritual formation.

The ancient Israelites were instructed to observe three major festi...

Have you ever been caught off guard by the seemingly simple question: "Who are you?" For many of us, we instinctively respond with what we do—our jobs, roles, or accomplishments. But what happens when those external identifiers are stripped away? Who remains?

This episode delves into the transformative concept of the "true self" versus the "false self"—a framework championed by spiritual write...

Have we lost our breath in the modern world? In this profound exploration of worship, we discover that for ancient peoples, worship wasn't a scheduled event but as natural and necessary as breathing itself. It was woven into the fabric of their daily existence, punctuating their lives through prayers, celebrations, and sacred rituals.

The word "worship" derives from "worth-ship" – showing something...

Ever feel like the world is changing too fast to keep up? You're not alone. In this deeply reflective episode, I explore a profound interview between Stephen Bartlett and investor Raoul Paul that left me questioning what happens when artificial intelligence fundamentally transforms our world.

Paul's assessment of AI as "the single greatest innovation humanity has ever seen" (second only to splitting the...

Ever noticed how certain words can immediately put us on edge? "Submission" is certainly one of them. What should be a pathway to freedom has become associated with control, oppression, and abuse. But what if we've been looking at it all wrong?

This exploration of submission as a spiritual rhythm takes us beyond negative connotations to discover its true essence: a freeing discipline that helps us recognize ...

Racing against a 30-second timer, Pastor Ryan tackles deep theological questions with surprising candor and insight in this experimental podcast format. Music director Mike Lauer serves as both inquisitor and timekeeper, challenging Ryan to distill complex spiritual concepts into concise, meaningful answers before the buzzer sounds.

The rapid-fire format creates moments of both depth and humor as Ryan reveals his admiratio...

What happens when we stop shaking the jar of our lives and let everything settle? In this exploration of silence and solitude, we discover how intentional withdrawal from noise and distraction creates space for profound spiritual encounters.

The story of Elijah offers a powerful metaphor for our own journeys. After a tremendous spiritual victory, Elijah flees into the wilderness, overwhelmed by fear and despair. There in t...

We live in a culture saturated with sexual messaging, yet meaningful conversations about sexual ethics often remain elusive. Drawing from both pastoral experience and personal journey as a parent of four, Ryan offers a refreshingly balanced framework for understanding human sexuality that moves beyond both prudish restrictions and casual disregard.

The conversation begins with Frederick Buechner's powerful metaphor co...

Have you ever wondered why the most fulfilling moments in life often come when we're serving others? This powerful exploration of "The Rhythm of Service" reveals how regular acts of service transform not just those we help, but our own spiritual lives as well.

Pastor Sonia Knutson shares her family's remarkable legacy of service, revealing how her parents' commitment to volunteering shaped her unde...