May 30, 2025
Hey there Radiant!
Have you heard of cognitive dissonance?
Cognitive dissonance is a term to describe when our beliefs and values are out of harmony with our actions. Because this is painful to admit and puts us at odds against ourselves, we rationalize our actions to make them justifiable in our minds.
We are all prone to this.
For example, you value telling the truth. But then you find yourself lying to a friend, maybe for dramatic effect, or maybe to make yourself look a bit better than reality.
To justify lying, you might tell yourself, “it is a white lie, it is harmless, it is just a different shade of the truth. Everyone does it. I am not a liar.”
In other words, we resolve the inner tension by lying to ourselves. But it doesn’t really work.
Paul saw the reality of dissonance at work in himself. He explains: “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” Romans 7:18-19
So what is the pathway from cognitive dissonance into truth and freedom?
Paul provides the answer: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Jesus Christ gives us the courage and confidence to face our reality, face our sin, and face our dissonance with hope. We can do this because we know that we are loved, “that while we were sinners Christ died for us.”
Because our worth isn’t based on our performance, our virtue, or our uniqueness we can admit to God, ourselves, and others, when we screw up royal.
The spiritual practice of confession is the means for accessing the freedom available to us in Jesus. Confession is bringing out into the open those dissonant, sinful thought, words, and actions we’d rather hide.
While this is scary, it is really a gracious invitation to freedom and transformation. I believe this practice is crucial and widely missing in the church.
But how do we confess, practically? Building off of Isabella Andrew’s excellent sermon last week, we are going to keep digging into a vision of integrating confession into our lives as disciples of Jesus.
So this Sunday we’ll explore some of more tender practicalities of such a vulnerable thing. Friends, freedom (as well as cognitive harmony) awaits!
See you at 10am!
EVENTS CALENDAR
5/11 – 6/15 – Diaper Drive for Modesto Pregnancy Center
6/1 – Tech Team Meeting (following service)
6/3 – Home Church Leaders Meeting, Missional Incubator 6:30-8PM at ELC
6/4 – Men’s Gathering 6-7AM
6/8 – Soccer Game After Church
6/12 – Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Course begins 6:30-8PM at ELC
6/15 – Baptism Sunday (cupcakes and picnic afterwards)
7/25 – All church Lake Day at Lake McClure Splash and Dash
10/3-10/5 – Women’s Retreat at Mission Springs Registration Open!
DIAPER DRIVE MOTHER’S DAY THROUGH FATHER’S DAY!
We’ve collected over 500 diapers so far!!!!
Hey Radiant, we are partnering with the ministry Modesto Pregnancy Center this May and June to provide some diapers for new moms who are attending parenting support classes. This is from Erin Koolhass, the MPC executive director:
“We give diapers to all of our students who attend our parenting classes, where they learn valuable parenting tools, memorize scripture, and build community. We have roughly 60 parents who attend in person each week, and another 50+ who attend online, so we get to bless a lot of babies with diapers! We almost always have a need for size 4, size 5 and size 6 diapers.” MPC gives out over 1200 diapers each week! I really appreciate how MPC is supporting moms and their babies spiritually, relationally, and materially. Let’s bless this new moms and their children with some diapers. We’ll hold this drive May 11 (Mother’s Day) through June 15 (Father’s Day) bring a pack of size 3, 4, or 5 diapers to church and we’ll get them to MPC.
UPCOMING RADIANT YOUTH EVENTS
6/4 – Decades Dance
6/10 – YTH Night Low Key/Yogurt Mill
6/14 – Beach Day
6/17 – Service Night at Modesto Gospel Mission
6/24 – Youth NightSign up here to receive more information on our Radiant Youth gatherings.
TECH TEAM MEET UP THIS SUNDAY
Following service this Sunday, we’ll refresh on our procedures, troubleshoot questions, and enjoy some pizza. If you are interested in joining the team, contact team lead, Matt Robertson (209)581-3097.
HOME CHURCH LEADERS/ MISSIONAL ENTREPRENEURS INTEREST MEETING JUNE 3RD.
As this season of Home Church wraps up, we are inviting those interested in exploring Home Church leading or leading another group to come to a discernment/ interest meeting on June 3rd from 6:30-8PM at ELC. This is a time to begin learning discernment on what the Spirit might be inviting you into for the 2025-2026 school year. No commitment required — just let Zach if you are interested [email protected]
MEN’S GATHERING THIS WEDNESDAY Men – you are up! This Wednesday from 6-7AM at ELC Fellowship Hall.
SOCCER GAME AFTER CHURCH – JUNE 8
Who is ready for some futbol (soccer)? We are going to kick around the soccer ball at MJC after service on 6/8. All welcome to join in!
EMOTIONALLY HEALTH SPIRITUALITY – COMING THIS JUNE.
Peter Scazzero writes “emotional health and spiritual maturity are inseparable. It is not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.” Emotionally Healthy Spirituality is an invitation to flourish in Christ as we consider what is going on “under the surface” in our lives. This is a 8 week course that will meet on Thursdays beginning June 12 and end on July 31. Sign up here to indicate interest and we will be in touch. If you’ve completed the course — I’ve done it many times — consider taking it again: there are always new things to discover.
UPCOMING BAPTISM SERVICE – JUNE 15
Are you ready to make a public declaration of your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If you believe God might be leading you to this, please reach out to Zach (reply to this email or text 209.497.3710) for more information. We are holding a June 15 service.
WOMEN’S RETREAT REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
October 3-5 at Mission Springs Conference Center.
We spend our lives avoiding the wilderness. Yet it is often in the wilderness that we encounter the Lord’s provision, promises, and presence. We even read that Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led in the wilderness. What can we learn from time spent in the wilderness? This special weekend is designed to be a transformative experience, offering countless opportunities to connect with other women and be refreshed.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT KINGDOM COFFEE!
Kingdom Coffee is now open! They are open Monday- Saturday 7am-3pm. Support this mission driven cafe. 2401 E Orangeburg Ave. (Century Center).
BAND APP
One way to connect at Radiant is to join our BAND APP group. Think of this as a sort of Radiant message board — our own little social media space. People can extend invites, share about needs and opportunities.
GIVING
Thank you for your generosity and partnership in Radiant’s ministry!
Here’s the link to online giving.
Grace and Peace!
Zach
[email protected]
209-497-3710
www.radcov.org
