Life in the Valley Podcast

Theology Talk: Church Covenant

This episode is a Theology Talk on church covenant. What is a church covenant? What is the purpose of a church covenant? 
MVBC's Church Covenant -  www.machiasvalley.org/about
Book Recommendation:
I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference by Thom Rainer
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC

Sermon Follow Up: Ruth

Episode 15. We recently wrapped up a sermon series on the book of Ruth here at MVBC. In this episode, Pastor Zach recaps the entire story of Ruth and gives us two major takeaways from this Old Testament book of the Bible.
Chapter 1 - Story about a family from Bethlehem
Chapter 2 - Gleaning in Boaz's field
Chapter 3 - Scene at the winnowing floor
Chapter 4 - The conversation between Boaz and the closer kinsman-redeemer
The Old Testament is pointing to the person and work of Jesus Christ
The doctrine of redemption
Covenantal kindness/love (chesed)
The geneology/offspring - the line of David
Two Takeaways from the book of Ruth:
1. God can work through the most broken and dark periods in your life. He can redeem even the most broken situations.
2. The true Redeemer in Bethlehem is Jesus, who like Ruth, repent and follow the Lord.
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

Looking Back on 2023 - Happy New Year!

Episode 14.  Happy New Year!  In this episode, we look back on 2023 and celebrate some of the good things that happened this year in three spheres - culturally, in the life of our church, and personally. In addition, we mention some of the resources that have been most helpful for us over the past year. 
Recommended Resources
Pastor Zach's Recommendations:
Bible Talk Podcast
Prayer by Timothy Keller
Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund
Andrea's Recommendations:
Ministry Wives Podcast
Knowing Faith Podcast
Rebecca McLaughlin
Paige Brown
A Praying Life by Paul Miller
Trusting God by Jerry Bridges
Don't Waste Your Sports by CJ Mahaney
 

What makes Christmas special for you?

Episode 13. Merry Christmas!  In this special Christmas episode, we have some fun talking about why Christmas is special for us and what makes it extra special for followers of Christ. 
Fun Questions:
What is your favorite Christmas tradition in your family?
What is one of your most memorable Christmases and why?
What is your favorite Christmas carol? 
What is your favorite part of the Christmas story?
Why is Christmas so important for Christians?
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus - Meredith Andrews
 
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

Christmas: The Genealogy of Matthew 1

Episode 12. Why does the New Testament start with a genealogy? Why is this important for the story of Christmas?
Matthew 1
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

Theology Talk: Missional

This episode is a Theology Talk on the “missional.”  What does it mean to be missional as a Christian? What does it mean to live on mission?
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

How should Christians handle Santa Claus?

In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: "How should Christians handle Santa Claus?"
Scripture references:  Ephesians 2:8; Colossians 3:9; Colossians 1:15-18
Recommended resources:
1. "Saint Nicholas and the Origins of Santa Claus" by Stephen Nichols.
2. Advent Blocks/The King Is Coming
3. Luke 2:1-20
 
Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.
 
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

Sermon Follow Up: Christ’s Authority Over Disease and Death

In this episode, we are following up with some questions from Sunday's sermon from November 26, 2023 - Mark 5:21-43, Christ's Authority Over Disease and Death.  www.machiasvalley.org/sermons
Sermon Follow Up Questions/Thoughts:
1. Why did Jesus ask who touched Him? Doesn't He know everything?
2. The desperation of Jairus.
3. The doctrine of the intercession of Christ.
4. Song: Before the Throne of God Above
Recommendations:
Essential Christianity by J.D. Greear
Read the book of Hebrews
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

Is there a way to balance what Jesus says about not caring what people think of His teaching and not being unnecessarily offensive?

In this episode, we answer the question: “Is there a way to balance what Jesus says about not caring what people think of His teaching and not being unnecessarily offensive? What would the common principles be?”
Scripture references:  Ezekiel 34:1-6; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
 
Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.
 
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

How do you love your spouse when you don’t love them?

In this episode, we answer the question, "How do I love my spouse when I don't love him?" 
The purpose of marriage
The power of the Holy Spirit, God's Word, and prayer
Sister Support
Romans 8
1 John
Recommended Resources:
The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller
Loving Him Well (formerly Sacred Influence) by Gary Thomas
The Love Dare by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick
Anchored Hope Biblical Counseling 
 
Got questions? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will answer in a future episode.
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
www.machiasvalley.org/leadership