CrossWalk Community Church Napa

Suffering is one of the few experiences every human being shares. Yet while none of us can avoid pain, we can choose how we respond to it.   In this week's teaching, we'll explore the surprising story of Korah and his descendants, discover how ancient Israel learned to transform tragedy into worship, and uncover why the Psalms of lament may be one of Scripture's greatest gifts to those who are hurting. Along the way, we'll consider what family legacies, honest grief, resilient hope, and the presence of God can teach us about finding joy—not after suffering ends, but in the midst of it.   If you've ever wondered where God is when life falls apart, struggled to hold onto hope, or needed permission to be honest about your pain, this conversation is for you.   Watch the video, listen to the podcast, or read the full teaching, and discover how lament, courage, and faith can become unexpected pathways to deep and lasting joy.

This teaching invites us to discover that joy is less about changing our circumstances and more about changing how we see. Drawing from the teachings of Jesus, the Apostle Paul, the Psalms, and voices like Mary Oliver, Rumi, and Mother Teresa, it explores how cultivating our inner life transforms the way we experience ourselves, others, and the world. Rather than being consumed by distraction and anxiety, we are invited to ground ourselves in God's presence through intentional spiritual practices that open us to greater joy, peace, courage, and hope. If you're longing for a more centered, joyful, and meaningful life, this message offers practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement to help you begin. Watch the video, listen to the podcast, or read the full teaching—and discover how paying attention to Being can transform the way you see your one wild and precious life.

This powerful exploration of generosity invites us to reimagine what it means to give in three transformative dimensions. Drawing from both Christian and Buddhist wisdom traditions, we discover that generosity extends far beyond writing checks or dropping coins in collection plates. The teaching unfolds through three beautiful movements: material giving, giving freedom from fear, and spiritual giving. We're challenged to examine our relationship with money not through guilt or obligation, but through the lens of joy and intentionality. The story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well becomes a stunning example of spiritual generosity that crosses boundaries and heals divisions. Here was a rabbi who broke every social rule to offer living water to someone his culture despised, demonstrating that true generosity creates connection where there was separation, hope where there was despair. We're invited to consider not just how much we give, but why we give and what transformation occurs in both the giver and receiver. The message reminds us that some of us may not be in a position to give financially, and that's perfectly acceptable. But all of us can offer our presence, our time, our listening ear, and our compassion. The practice of generosity becomes a spiritual discipline that changes us from the inside out, opening our hearts and connecting us more deeply to the divine flow of love in the world.

Jesus' first "sermon" after his post-baptism wilderness journey was in his home synagogue.  He read a passage from Isaiah that most of his hearers associated with the coming messiah, or anointed one.  After reading, he simply said, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it."  That got the crowd pretty excited.      Perhaps the more intriguing thing Jesus said, as Rev.Dr. Angie Barker-Jackson noted, was his inclusion of the word, "Today."  All the promises of the Isaiah verse were realized that day, and every today since.  What might it mean that you can experience freedom "today"? From what? Freedom may not require than your circumstances change, as has been the case in the past from enslaved persons who remained so yet lived in freedom, or holocaust survivors who continued to suffer, yet they were also free.      May you find - or begin finding - freedom from whatever holds you back, and may it bring you great joy.

What if one of the greatest keys to lasting joy is not found in pursuing happiness for ourselves, but in learning to see others—and ourselves—with deeper compassion? In this inspiring installment of the Joy series, we explore compassion as one of the essential pillars of joy, drawing wisdom from The Book of Joy, the teachings of Jesus, and the lives of remarkable spiritual leaders including the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and others who discovered joy even amid suffering and hardship. This teaching reveals how compassion begins with empathy—the ability to recognize our shared human experience. Through stories, scripture, poetry, scientific research, and practical reflection, we discover that every person we encounter carries struggles, fears, losses, and hopes much like our own. When we learn to see beyond labels, divisions, and judgments, compassion becomes less of an obligation and more of a natural response. You'll also explore the often-overlooked practice of self-compassion. Many of us struggle to extend grace to ourselves, believing we are never enough or have never done enough. Yet learning to treat ourselves with the same kindness we offer others can remove barriers that prevent us from living with greater joy. Along the way, you'll encounter powerful insights from Jesus' parables, the early church's radical inclusivity, moving works of art and poetry, and the remarkable story of Anthony Ray Hinton, whose choice to embrace compassion transformed decades of unjust imprisonment into a life marked by hope and joy. Whether you're seeking greater happiness, deeper spiritual growth, or practical ways to navigate an increasingly divided world, this teaching offers a compelling invitation: recognize our shared humanity, practice compassion, and discover the joy that follows. Watch the video, listen to the podcast, or read the full teaching to experience the stories, reflections, exercises, and wisdom that can help cultivate a more compassionate heart and a deeper, more resilient joy.

What if the conversation about LGBTQ inclusion isn't really about winning an argument, but about discovering a deeper understanding of God, Scripture, and one another? In Pride and Joy, Pastor Pete Shaw shares his personal journey from a traditional Baptist upbringing to becoming an advocate for LGBTQ affirmation. Along the way, he invites readers to examine the beliefs they inherited, the assumptions that shaped them, and the ways faith continues to evolve through study, experience, and compassion. Drawing on biblical scholarship, the rabbinic traditions that influenced Jesus and Paul, contemporary understandings of gender and sexuality, and a vision of God rooted in love and shalom, this reflection challenges readers to think beyond simplistic answers. It explores the Bible's so-called "clobber verses," the role of interpretation, the dangers of "othering," and the call to see every person as a beloved bearer of the divine image. Whether you agree, disagree, or find yourself somewhere in between, Pride and Joy offers a thoughtful, gracious, and deeply personal invitation to wrestle with difficult questions, expand your perspective, and consider what it means to love your neighbor well. If you've ever wondered how a person of faith can embrace both Scripture and LGBTQ affirmation, this reflection is a compelling place to begin. Read it with an open heart, and be prepared to encounter new questions, fresh insights, and perhaps a broader vision of God's love.

As you will learn from the examples of Joseph in Genesis, the Apostle Paul, and former inmate Anthony Ray Hinton, gratitude may play an outsized role in our pursuit of joy. Gratitude does not erase suffering, excuse injustice, or remove disappointment. What it does is help us recognize that pain is not the whole story. It reminds us that even in difficult seasons, goodness remains present and available to us. Gratitude widens our vision enough to see it.

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging aspects of being human. Most of us carry a list of people we struggle to forgive—whether they are public figures, distant acquaintances, close family members, former friends, or even ourselves. Yet forgiveness stands at the center of Jesus’ teaching, not as an optional spiritual practice but as an essential part of following him. The story of Joseph in Genesis illustrates the complexity of forgiveness. Betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten, Joseph had every reason to remain bitter. Instead, the story culminates in reconciliation, with Joseph embracing his brothers and recognizing that healing is possible even after profound harm. While the story never explicitly focuses on forgiveness, it demonstrates how remorse, compassion, and restored relationship can communicate forgiveness in powerful ways. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting, excusing wrongdoing, avoiding accountability, or allowing continued harm. As both the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu emphasize, forgiveness can coexist with justice, healthy boundaries, and a clear acknowledgment of the wrong that was done. Forgiveness is not about denying the past; it is about refusing to let the past continue to control the present. One reason forgiveness matters is that unforgiveness keeps us tethered to our wounds. Resentment can become its own prison, allowing those who hurt us to continue shaping our emotions and choices long after the original injury occurred. Forgiveness becomes a pathway to freedom, enabling us to reclaim our own lives and futures. A relational understanding of forgiveness also invites us to see the humanity of those who have harmed us. This does not excuse their actions, but it recognizes that people are shaped by countless causes and conditions, often acting out of their own wounds, fears, ignorance, or lack of awareness. Forgiveness helps us resist the temptation to dehumanize others, even while opposing harmful behavior. Forgiveness requires courage, humility, and strength. It is not weakness but one of the hardest forms of spiritual work. By choosing forgiveness, we break cycles of revenge and resentment and open ourselves to healing, renewal, and release. Ultimately, forgiveness is a practice of shalom—God’s vision of wholeness, healing, and restored relationship. As we learn to forgive, we make room for greater freedom, deeper peace, and a more enduring joy. Forgiveness does not erase pain, but it prevents pain from having the final word.

Angie Barker-Jackson offers compelling words about acceptance of reality in our pursuit of joy. This powerful message invites us to embrace one of life's most challenging yet transformative spiritual practices: acceptance. Drawing from the story of Joseph in Genesis 39, we discover that accepting what is does not mean resignation or defeat, but rather creates the only place where real change can begin. Joseph's journey from favored son to slave to prisoner reveals a profound truth repeated four times in just eight verses: the Lord was with Joseph. Through betrayal by his brothers, false accusations, and unjust imprisonment, Joseph experienced God's abiding presence. This same truth anchors our lives today. God is with us in our celebrations and in our suffering, in our joys and in our heartbreaks. The message challenges us to hold two realities simultaneously: life can be incredibly difficult while joy remains accessible through God's constant companionship. Whether we're navigating family conflict, financial stress, health crises, or personal disappointments, the deepest reality underneath all surface circumstances is that God is with us. This Emmanuel truth, God with us, becomes our starting point for transformation. When we accept our present reality, we position ourselves to either change ourselves or change our circumstances, always grounded in the steadfast presence of a God who never abandons us.

"Laughter is the best medicine." Humor has a surprising way of healing individuals and relational rifts as well. It's not laughing matter - taking humor seriously just might create greater peace in the world.

Pride and egocentrism is a joy thief. How did the lack of humility show up in the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50? What do the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu have to say about humility and joy? How does our personality type impact our egotistical expression?

Perspective can make an enormous difference in our experience of life, including the amount of joy we feel.

Hear Michael Gungor's thoughts on joy.

Somedays it feels like the world is crashing in. We feel overwhelmed. Easter's resurrection stories serve as a reminder that joy is present as well, waiting to be found. This is not a silver lining - the joy doesn't justify the suck. But the joy is present as a reminder that no matter how awful things are, it's not all awful.

Easter reminds us that no matter what the circumstances - good and bad alike - the loving presence of God is with us, and will be forevermore. No matter what, "This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

During the last week of Jesus' life, how was he able to maintain his shalom ethos? Surely he was tempted toward self-aggrandizement, or anger, or frustration, or defeat, or egocentrism. How did he stay on center?

How do we think about money? Who was our model of how we relate to money? Is it possible that there is a richer way to living than building and hoarding as much as possible for ourselves? Is there a way that flows with life, love, and God?

Enjoy this immersive journey into one of Jesus' incredible acts of healing and hope.

We are all leaders. We lead in every conversation we have and with every decision we make. How can we be gracious leaders?

Jonathon Foster recounts his journey with grief, theological growth, and a surprising answer that turns out to be a question - one that can help us navigate the greatest challenges of life.

Recall the importance of understanding all sides of a story in the pursuit of truth with the retelling of the story of Esther and the perspectives of key characters. How might he world be a better place if we took time to hear and understand each of our perspectives?

Enjoy the first in this series where we examine what we get to offer the world in its ongoing becoming, for its wellbeing.

This final teaching in the Quest for Thin Places series focuses on things to consider as we cultivate the soil of our lives that allows our faith to grow and flourish.

What are we really, really wanting from our pursuit of faith? What are some ways we might get there? How do we find our way "home" and how do we stay there?

Tom Oord rejects the longhand assertion that God is omnipotent or almighty from a careful study of the Bible's original language. As an alternative, he proposes his belief in Amipotence - God's essential nature of love - which requires that God cannot be coercive yet is surely influential more than any other agent. This was the final presentation of CrossWalk's conference, Fresh Faith: The Problem of Pain.

Developing our spirituality is more about subtracting than adding...

Part of the deconstruction/reconstruction process is to clarify why we pursue faith in the first place. Without identifying the why behind our what, we run the risk of simply rebuilding on an already shaky foundation.

The first in the series The Quest for Thin Places, informed by Dana Hicks' book by the same name, this teaching introduces the listener to the critical step of thoughtful deconstruction, which should be a normal and natural ongoing part of faith. For more, see the blog: https://www.crosswalknapa.org/blog/deconstruction

Mary found the source of her faithful devotion to all that God invited her to embrace: the magnificence of what the God of Love was communicating to her about her ( and everyone else). Her should magnified that Love. When we build our lives from the Love up, we are able to say yes to the God's invitation to love the world into its wellbeing.

Enjoy this thought-provoking, permission-giving, freedom-yielding teaching from Matt Real!

The Wise Men weren't and aren't the only ones who follow stars. We all are looking to our own respective "stars" for guidance. How do you know if the star you're following is going to lead you where you want to go? What is your assessment criteria? It turns out that the Christmas Story offers some keys that might be helpful in sorting out what to follow and what to let go.

The sermon reflects on the choices we make—during Thanksgiving, in our daily lives, and in our spiritual journeys. Using Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken as a starting point, it argues that choices “make all the difference,” though not always in positive or easy ways. Frost’s poem reminds us that every path taken excludes another and that the consequences of our decisions shape our stories. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7 contrasts two paths: a broad, easy road leading to destruction and a narrow, challenging road leading to life. Unlike Frost’s neutral fork in the woods, Jesus warns that the popular, well-worn way often misleads, while the life-giving path requires intention, courage, and deep attention. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes this narrow path through practices like nonviolent resistance, countercultural generosity, reimagined prayer, and redefined blessing. His own life embodies the narrow way—one filled with love, resistance to injustice, and even suffering. C.S. Lewis adds that the Christian life is not about managing one’s desires or being “good” in a surface-level way, but about surrendering the whole self so that Divine life can flow through us. This surrender is both “harder and easier” than moral effort because it transforms from within rather than demanding endless self-striving. The sermon then shifts toward Advent and Christmas, noting that every character in the nativity story faced choices when the “star” invited them toward God’s unfolding work—some embraced the narrow path, some rejected it. The star becomes a metaphor for divine guidance still shining today, calling us away from easy, crowded routes and toward the quieter, more demanding way of love, justice, and grace. Ultimately, the sermon invites listeners to consider what the “narrow path” means for them now, how it shapes their lives and relationships, and how the “unforced rhythms of grace” (Matthew 11) can guide them to live more freely, lightly, and intentionally.

At first glance, following the Golden Rule - doing unto others what you would want done to you - seems simple enough. But it's not. To truly appreciate it requires to work and humility.

This exploration of Jesus' teaching on prayer challenges us to move beyond the vending machine approach to spirituality. When Jesus says 'ask, seek, knock,' we often hear a transactional promise—do this, get that. But the deeper translation reveals something more profound: 'keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking.' Prayer isn't a one-time transaction but an ongoing process of engagement with the divine. The sermon unpacks how our prayers often mirror our consumer society, where we expect immediate results and feel disappointed when God doesn't deliver like Amazon Prime. Yet when we examine what we're actually praying for—from parking spots to perfect children—we discover something important: our prayers reveal who we are, what we value, and where we need to grow. The invitation isn't to pray less, but to pray more deeply, recognizing that prayer is both a mirror reflecting our own hearts and a quest that transforms us. We're encouraged to pray however we need to, getting our concerns out into the open, while also examining whether our language about God aligns with what we actually believe about divine love and presence.

Where do you cast your "pearls"?  In this teaching, we remember that we holy and beloved, invited to do all the good that we can with all that we are.  Supporting CrossWalk supports doing much good in the world on many levels.  Will you consider supporting CrossWalk with greater generosity than you are currently?

Jesus instructed his followers not to judge others.  How's that going for you? In this teaching we examine the difference between judging and offering constructive criticism and the messiness every human being brings to the equation.

Hear first account experience from one who lived with a Palestinian family in the West Bank.

In our exploration of worry, we discover that it's not inherently bad - it can motivate us and protect us. However, Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6 to 'seek first the kingdom of God' instead of worrying about our daily needs. This isn't a call to ignore real-world concerns, but rather an invitation to ground ourselves in a deeper reality. The kingdom of God isn't a distant realm, but a present reality of love that we're already immersed in. By prioritizing this ultimate reality, we can find peace that surpasses understanding, even in the face of life's challenges. This shift in perspective can transform how we view ourselves, others, and the world around us.

In this powerful message offered by Rev. Dr. Angela Barker-Jackson, we're invited to explore the profound concept of welcoming strangers, rooted in Leviticus 19:34. This scripture challenges us to treat strangers as natives and love them as ourselves, reminding us of our own history as strangers. The sermon beautifully connects this ancient text to Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing that holiness is not just an idea, but an active engagement with the world. We're called to embody God's holy character in all spheres of life, creating ripples of change from the inside out. The message encourages us to start by welcoming the stranger within ourselves, those parts we've yet to fully accept or understand. By doing so, we open ourselves to truly welcoming others, expanding our circles of connection and love. This practice of 'revolutionary love' has the power to transform not just individuals, but entire communities and even nations. As we face the chaos of our world, we're reminded that by holding the center together, rooted in God's love, we can create lasting change and pursue God's shalom.

Today, we delve into the profound teachings of Matthew 6:22-23, exploring the concept of the 'eye as the lamp of the body.' This scripture challenges us to examine our spiritual vision and how it impacts our entire being. Are we seeing the world through eyes of generosity and abundance, or through a lens of scarcity and greed? The passage connects deeply with Jesus' warning that we cannot serve both God and wealth, reminding us that our perspective on material possessions can blind us to spiritual truths. As we reflect on this, we're invited to consider: How might our own privileges or financial status create blind spots in our faith journey? By cultivating a 'healthy eye,' we open ourselves to see God's abundance and the needs of others more clearly, potentially transforming not just our own lives, but the world around us.

Consumerism can be exhilarating, but it can also leave us in a perpetual state of never feeling satisfied, in competition with our neighbors, and a little light in our wallet. The Way of Jesus, however, does the opposite, yielding a rewarding life filled with the fruit of the Spirit of God that never runs out. Choose the Way!

This part of the Lord's Prayer seems quite obvious, right? It's airy out to God to come rescue us from the evil that terrorizes us. Well, no. The Aramaic language and Eastern culture of Jesus indicate a different, much more relevant interpretation.

Temptation is a fact of life. How we think about it makes all the difference. Jesus' temptation story provides a framework for understanding categories of temptation and healthy ways to respond.

Forgiving someone who has wronged us is hard work. Not popular. Not fair. Not just. So why are we supposed to do this again?

Jesus taught his disciples to ask God to forgive our debts, trespasses, sins, and more. Easier said than done when done sincerely. Asking for forgiveness implies awareness of our need for forgiveness. That's when things get difficult for us...

Being aware and grateful for our planet's capacity to provide food, and all the hands involved from planting all the way to our meal will help you live in deeper awe and gratitude. Discovering that the Aramaic word for bread is the same as for understanding and wisdom, this line of the prayer takes on new meaning. The Divine Feminine Wisdom is one that is creative, generative, embodying and fostering possibility. Together, we find ourselves full of both kinds of bread, more able to enter the world with strength and direction, both from "above."

Building on the passionate invitation, Thy Kingdom come, the second half of the second line of the Lord's Prayer follows suit, seeking to be fully aligned with the Divine. The more that happens, the more we find ourselves naturally living in response to the winds of the Spirit of God, and less in the way of what Love is trying to build in the world. Less about following rules and sin management, and more about living in deep relationship with the One that unites us all.

It turns out that the second line of the Lord's Prayer in Aramaic requires an entirely different tone than most of us have been advised. WAY different tone. Can we handle it?

The first line of the Lord's Prayer offers much food for thought. Loosen your belt...

This one of a kind Hebrew word has no linguistic equivalent, yet captures the essence of God and offers direction for our individual and collective lives.  Thank you, Dr. Jenny Matheny for hitting it out of the park!