Dear Radiant,
James writes words that pierce and challenge:
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
James 3:11-12
I found myself producing some gushing salt water flows this week. Speaking things and then regretting immediately what has erupted….
I want my words to be like a fresh water spring in a parched land. Friends, I often miss the mark.
But James, as we follow his argument, doesn’t suggest we just try harder with our speech. Rather, James is being descriptive, explaining how this works spiritually.
When we find ourselves becoming a bit salty, we must ask — what is in me? Why is it coming out this way? What is the source?
More than anything, this drives us back to the fount of living water, Jesus, who quenches are thirst and promises to make his” rivers of living water to flow from within us.”
Let us drink deeply today.
We are excited to welcome Rich Hodge, Sr, to share with us this Sunday. Rich is a missionary living in South Africa who will teach us from James this week.
Grace and peace,
-Zach
Radiant Events Calendar
7/28 – Emotionally Healthy Relationships Course
7/29 – Men’s Group at ELC 6-7am
8/9, 16, 23 – Radiant Volunteer Draft Combine
8/16 – Church “It’s Official” Party at ELC after church
10/2-4 – Women’s Conference at Mission Springs
Radiant Youth
Join us this Sunday at We’ll meet at ELC at 5:47PM.
RadCov Kids Survey
Over the next couple of months we’re taking a fresh look at our approach to children’s ministry. We’d love to hear your experience, hopes, and ideas as parents, volunteers, and as a Radiant congregants. Your unique perspective will help us listen well as we discern our next steps. Here’s a link to a survey.
*Reminder, for the month of July, only our “Glow” (ages 0-4) classroom will be open. All other children are welcome in service. We will have materials for them to engage with during the service in the welcome area.
“It’s Official” Party – Radiant joins the ECC
We are celebrating this major milestone as a church on August 16. We’ll share stories about God’s wild faithfulness and what this next means as we prepare for our first congregational where we’ll elect leaders, approve budgets meeting in December. All welcome!
Radiant Volunteer Draft Combine is coming…
Where 40 times and vertical jumps aren’t as an important as a humble desire to serve others. This is Radiant’s push to gather volunteers for the fall More to come: Sundays August 9, 16, 23.
Subscribe to Radiant’s Youtube Channel
Hey friends, we are trying to improve our livestream game a bit and think that streaming on Youtube will serve our congregation better. To enable this, we will need 50 subscribers (we need 8 more!). You can subscribe here.
Women’s Conference at Mission Springs October 2-4
This fall’s theme, “Teach Us to Pray”, is centered on the Lord’s Prayer. Together, we will slow down and reflect on each phrase Jesus taught, discovering what it means to trust our Father, seek His kingdom, depend on His provision, and walk in forgiveness and surrender. This theme calls us not just to learn about prayer, but to be transformed by it. Through worship, teaching, and community, we will be renewed in our desire to pray boldly and live rooted in His presence. Join us for a weekend that promises to refresh your spirit, deepen your faith, and strengthen your connections with fellow women.
Register here: https://www.missionsprings.com/camp-event/womens-conference/
Community Notes
RADIANT ADOPTION INTO THE COVENANT – Radiant has been formally adopted into the Evangelical Covenant Denomination. This happened on Friday, June 26 at the 141st Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ. We’ll party later this summer as a congregation.
SHARING TABLE – One fun way we practice the gospel sharing and generosity is through our simple “sharing table.” We place a folding table where people can place items that they would like to give away to others (not junk!). These items could be clothes, fresh garden vegetables, toys, books, etc. It’s free – take them if you want it, no questions asked or obligations. If your sharing items are not taken that week – please be sure to take them back with you as we will not be storing items.
BAND APP – One way to connect to the Radiant community 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!
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:7-8
