Bethany Seattle

A good Sunday has a way of carrying into Monday

Real Faith Holds Nothing Back

This boy had two fish and five loaves, and when Jesus asked, he didn't offer a portion. He said, "You can have it all."

He didn't say, "Jesus, I need to keep some to get back to Jerusalem by tomorrow." That's what kids do so wonderfully. They trust that provision will come.

So he becomes a word to every one of us in the room, of every age. We can receive this offer of the Spirit of God within us, but we're called to follow Him fully.

The people around Jesus would rather be hungry than go back to town. His presence was that good. So the boy empties his hands in a wild act of faith.

Faith in Jesus will cost us something real. Real faith holds nothing back. Our hands are open to receive, and they're open to give.

This is the dual nature of faith. We can't give what we haven't first received, but if it's all receiving and no giving, we live a life of gluttony.

So we're called to invest for the kingdom, at every stage of life. We each have something to contribute to someone in our home, on our street, or down the hall.

So stop saying later is when our investing in the kingdom or in the life of others begins. Start now. That's what real faith is.

Need prayer or want to speak to a pastor? Send us a DM.

Our hunger becomes opportunity when we look to Jesus.

Watching the next generation find community is one of our favorite things.

The painting you see featured in this series was made by Diane Howard, an attender at Bethany Greenlake. We are so excited to feature her work for this series, as it relates so directly to the themes we will be covering in “Reshaping Relationships: The Process of Connection, Healing, and Transformation.”

Regarding her work, Howard says:
“There is a risk in being vulnerable, but there is also great joy in seeing something hidden within myself take form and expression through the paintings.”

The process of deep healing and connection with our community starts with Christ’s process of transformation in us. Those hidden processes take form in our relationships as we pursue vulnerability, confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation- leading to joy and deeper relationships. It’s beautiful. It’s messy. It’s meaningful.

We invite you into a journey of vulnerability and deeper relationship with Christ and each other through this beautiful series.

Find diane’s work at dianehowardart.com



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Why Going To Church For Years Doesn't Mean You're Actually Growing

Growth takes time. But time doesn't equal growth.

Simply following Jesus longer doesn't automatically lead to deeper intimacy with Him. What drives growth is hunger, curiosity, and a consistent willingness to ask God to reveal Himself to you.

Jesus spent 18 years in obscurity before His ministry began, and His faith kept growing the entire time. He didn't coast on what He already knew.

So the question isn't how long you've been a Christian. It's whether you're actually growing.

That growth shows up at your dining room table. Do your kids see you reading your Bible? Do they see you praying? Do you bring them to church? Do you sign up for camp? Are you doing life together?

Kids belong centered in the church, not tucked away. When a child's voice fills a sanctuary, that's not a distraction. That's life.

We want to create messy spaces where the next generation belongs, where we're curious and investing in them together.

Theologian Dallas Willard said all spiritual growth starts in the mind, because our thoughts dictate our actions. We can't control every environment we walk into, but we can cultivate an interior life that keeps saying, "Jesus, make me more like You." And in time, our outer actions will reflect it.

Need prayer or want to speak to a pastor? Send us a DM.

There's something about starting the week together.