The Weekly Word from Burns

Are you tired of grand, empty religious gestures? Do you suspect that what you do on Sunday matters less than how you live on Tuesday?
This week, we dive deep into Micah 6:8, the most famous summary of God’s will, and discover the "little things" that truly matter: doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.
The prophet Micah asks: What does God want? Thousands of rams? Rivers of oil? Your firstborn child? He rejects all of it, saying that all the grand ceremonies and sacrifices in the world are meaningless if we miss the bigger picture.
We’ll explore the consistent message of the Old Testament prophets—from Amos’s call for justice to roll down like waters, to Jeremiah’s demand to stop oppressing the widow and the sojourner. We discuss the difference between Orthodoxy (right belief) and Orthopraxy (right action), and why the prophets say orthopraxy matters even more.
Finally, we’ll take a hard look at modern failures to execute justice—from the political theater to the rise of "Social Justice Warrior" as an insult—and find the only source of true righteousness: Jesus Christ.
If you’ve ever felt that church was distracting you from your actual life, this episode is for you.

Jesus said the one who is faithful in little will be faithful in much. We’ve been talking about the small, intentional habits that make a big difference in following him, and this week's "little thing" is all about food!
Did you know some of the Bible's most important moments happened over a table? From the Road to Emmaus to the final chapters of Revelation, God uses meals to open our eyes and bring us together.
Listen now to discover the powerful, even spiritual, act of sharing a meal with someone this week, and how this simple act can change your life (and the world!).

Did you know the Bible's passages on giving aren't about tithing laws, but disaster relief? Join us as we look at the early church—from the generous Barnabas, whose giving earned him the nickname "Son of Encouragement," to the incredibly poor but sacrificial Macedonians.
We’ll explore the seven paradoxes of giving and learn why generosity is an act of faithfulness in everyone's reach.

Today, we're diving straight into one of the most challenging passages in the entire Bible: 1 Samuel, chapter 15. It's a text that features God giving a command so brutal and absolute it makes even the most faithful among us wince. If you find yourself asking, “Why would God ever say that?”—good. We hope you're uncomfortable.
We'll be exploring the story of King Saul and his disastrous, self-serving failure to follow a difficult order. We're going to talk about partial obedience, the dangerous habit of blaming others for our own compromise, and why building a monument to yourself is never a good idea.
And finally, we’ll uncover the core truth that Samuel delivers to the failed king—a truth that still defines our relationship with God today: why obedience is always better than any sacrifice we can offer.
Trust us, you don't want to skip this one. Pull up a chair, grab your Bible, and let's get into this hard lesson from a hard text.

The biblical figure Samuel is impressive: He was the last judge of Israel, anointed two kings (Saul and David), and even made a dramatic post-mortem appearance in scripture. But the truly amazing part of his story is how it began.
In this powerful episode, we explore the simple, yet profound, act that defined Samuel's life: listening. You'll discover the surprising depth of the Hebrew word for "hear" and why it's a foundation for all faithfulness. We also look at the high cost of not listening, drawing a shocking parallel between a simple o-ring failure and the tragic Challenger disaster.
If you struggle to shut out the noise and truly listen—to God or to the world around you—this message is a crucial reminder that your willingness to listen could be the "o-ring" that prevents a disaster.
Tune in to find out why the greatest thing you can do this week is simply say, "Speak, LORD, your servant is listening."

Is Your Love Loud or Quiet?
You know the big, flashy stuff: speaking in tongues, moving mountains, making grand gestures. The Apostle Paul said those acts mean absolutely nothing without love. But if love is the most important thing, how can you truly tell if you have it?
This week, we dive into the difference between love as a feeling and love as an action. Using the framework of the 5 Love Languages and the powerful simplicity of scripture, we challenge the idea that serving God and people requires huge, loud acts. Instead, we learn to embrace the power of the quiet cup of water.
Discover how to "turn your little omelet in the pan for the love of God" and find profound meaning in the smallest, most humble acts of service. If you've ever felt that your everyday life is too mundane to matter, this message is for you.
Press play to learn how serving quietly is the loudest demonstration of love there is.

Do you struggle to pray consistently? Do you wonder if your prayers are truly powerful?
We often think of prayer as a lever—something we have to push hard enough, long enough, or just right to get God to act. But what if we're focusing on the wrong thing?
In this powerful episode, we use the simple machine of the lever and fulcrum to explore a completely fresh perspective on prayer, straight from the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke.
Drawing inspiration from Archimedes and St. Therese of Lisieux, we make the case that the power in prayer doesn't come from your technique, your persistence, or your magical words. It comes from the stability and nature of your fulcrum: God Himself.
In this episode, you will discover:
The "Sheldon Cooper" Test: Why simple machines, like the lever, prove that leverage is key to achieving the impossible.
A Shift in Focus: Why Jesus, when teaching his disciples to pray, constantly pointed to God's character (the Fulcrum) rather than our effort (the Lever).
The Bad Neighbor and the Bad Judge: What two strange parables in Luke 11 and 18 reveal about your own theology and your confidence in God's willingness to listen and act.
The Power of Relationship: How viewing prayer as conversation, not performance, can transform your struggle into an ongoing, joyful relationship.
Stop trying to find the perfect formula for prayer. Start thinking about who you're talking to.
Listen now to realize that prayer isn’t powerful because we say the right words. Prayer is powerful because God is powerful.

Do you ever feel like your words don't matter? Think again.
In this episode, we're diving into one of the most daunting leadership jobs in history—leading the cranky, rebellious Israelites—and the powerful three-word strategy God gave Moses to prepare his successor, Joshua: Charge, Encourage, and Strengthen.
We often dismiss talk as cheap, but what if your voice has the power to create? We'll break down the biblical idea of corrupting words versus building up words and explore how those little eye-rolls and dismissals can do more damage than a major insult.
Discover the simple but profound practice of speaking life into the people around you. You’ll hear stories of how a few words saved Stephen King’s career and launched J.K. Rowling’s empire, and learn how to use your words as a means of grace that fits the moment.
It’s time to stop underestimating your tongue. As Proverbs says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Tune in to learn your next little step that can make a massive difference.
Press play and learn how to Charge, Encourage, and Strengthen with the power of your words.

"He didn't leave home intending to slay a giant. He just showed up for his brothers, and God took care of the rest."
What if the most impactful step you could take in life was also the simplest?
Join us this week as we dive into a message inspired by the unforgettable faithfulness of Jim and Louise Dormer and the stories of David, Mary, and Zaccheus. It's a journey from the quiet presence at a funeral home to the dramatic clash with Goliath.
Discover why showing up—whether for worship, celebration, or burden—is not just an act of kindness, but a defining spiritual moment. It's amazing how many good things happen just because you showed up.
Tune in to learn the simple, yet profound, challenge: What does it truly mean for you to be present?

Do you ever feel awkward talking about faith?
We all know faithfulness matters, but what about the little things? This week, we tackle one specific, powerful action: Inviting Boldly.
You might think people don't want to come to church—but the research says you're wrong. In fact, most unchurched people would visit if a friend simply asked. Yet, most of us never ask!
Stop gatekeeping Jesus's love. Listen in as we explore the seven invitations of Jesus and challenge ourselves to look past our own social circles to invite those who need Him most.
It’s time to move past awkward silence and embrace the simple power of the invitation. Press play and be encouraged to make a huge difference with one little word.