On Tuesday, the people of Montana voted to reject a ballot initiative (LR-131) that would have required, by law, doctors to administer life-giving care to born alive infants, including those who survived failed or botched abortions. On this episode of Crossroads & Culture, I talk about what God's word has to say about this, and how followers of Christ can respond. If you are wanting to get involved with a national ministry that helps women who are facing unplanned pregnancies choose life, check out Save the Storks here: https://savethestorks.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shawn-barnard/support

How do you respond when God redirects your life? In that moment, what may seem like an inconvenience is really an invitation from God to join Him where He is at work. Although it may feel frustrating, seem confusing, be painful, and not seem to make sense, we can trust that God is writing a much bigger and better story than we could ever write. For notifications for new episodes, please FOLLOW the Crossroads & Culture podcast, and rate/review our show. Learn more about River Valley Church by clicking here >> www.rivervalleyconway.com You can also follow us on Instagram here >> @rivervalleychurchconway --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shawn-barnard/support

Today on the Crossroads & Culture podcast, we’re going to answer the questions of why the early church was devoted to prayer, and why we should be devoted to prayer as well. If there is anything that the early church needed, it was to spend time with God so that they might hear clearly from Him, by His Spirit, and know His will in how to live in right relationship with Him and one another.  It is no different for us today as followers of Christ. For notifications for new episodes, please FOLLOW the Crossroads & Culture podcast, and rate/review our show. Learn more about River Valley Church and the Rediscovering Church podcast by clicking here >> www.rivervalleyconway.com You can also follow us on Instagram here >> @rivervalleychurchconway If you would like to partner with us financially as we launch River Valley Church, you can give monthly or a one-time, tax-deductible gift here >> https://rivervalleyconway.churchcenter.com/giving --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shawn-barnard/support

In Acts 2, we read about the practices to which the early church were devoted:  the teaching of Scripture, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. On this episode of Crossroads & Culture, we look at why the breaking of bread was a practice of the early church and why it is necessary and significant for the Church today as followers of Christ. For notifications for new episodes, please FOLLOW the Crossroads & Culture podcast, and rate/review our show. Also, learn more about River Valley Church and the Rediscovering Church podcast by clicking here >> www.rivervalleyconway.com You can also follow us on Instagram here >> @rivervalleychurchconway --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shawn-barnard/support

We aren't meant to do life alone.  Each of us has been created for relationship with God, first and foremost, and one another.  In this episode of Crossroads & Culture, we are going to look at the early church’s commitment to the fellowship among the believers, and how their devotion to biblical community made much of the gospel, encouraged one another, and influenced the culture in which they lived. It’s something we need to hear today, as the Church, for the sake of the gospel. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shawn-barnard/support

In Psalm 119, David writes, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s word sheds light on where to step and how to navigate this life we live. And we desperately need that because the path we walk in this world is more often littered with landmines than it is lollipops. Our path in this life leads us through the valleys of the shadow of death, but God shepherds us by His word and the abiding presence of His Spirit. And as we follow His ways and delight in His word, He provides for our real needs, not just felt needs; He leads us beside the quiet waters of His word when the world feels like a raging sea; He makes us lie down in the green pastures of His word to rest even when we walk through desert moments; He restores our weary and wounded soul with the healing salve of His word; He reminds us of His nearness with the rod and staff of His word so that we don’t have to fear any evil; He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies where we feast on the goodness of His word and the sustenance He gives. And that's why we should be devoted to the Scriptures. Website:  www.rivervalleyconway.com Instagram:  www.instagram.com/rivervalleychurchconway/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shawn-barnard/support

In the scriptures, specifically the Psalms, there are a lot of questions that are asked regarding how to live life in a way that is right and God-honoring in the midst of a confusing and chaotic culture. On today's episode of the Crossroads & Culture podcast, I discuss how we can avoid drifting from the truth and embracing the often distorted and destructive worldviews of modern culture. Subscribe to the Rediscovering Church podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rediscovering-church-podcast/id1630504474 Instagram:  @rivervalleychurchconway Website:  rivervalleyconway.com  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shawn-barnard/support

Today on Crossroads & Culture I share some thoughts regarding today's Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade.  I discuss the issue of abortion in more detail here:  https://www.rivervalleyconway.com/post/the-fallacious-argument-from-womb-to-tomb Resources that help women choose life:  www.savethestorks.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shawn-barnard/support

If you build a house that looks nothing like the blueprint design, there's a problem.  God's word, specifically in the book of Acts, gives us the blueprint and timeless principles that are to be the essence of His Church.  In this episode of Crossroads & Culture, I have a conversation with David Edwards, Discipleship Pastor at Church Project, about the modern church and what getting back to God's design for His Church looks like. CONNECT WITH DAVE EDWARDS:  daveedwardsspeaks.com RIVER VALLEY CHURCH:  rivervalleyconway.com RIVER VALLEY INSTAGRAM: @rivervalleychurchconway --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shawn-barnard/support

The fragility of life has a way of giving you a wake up call when you’re headed in an ambulance to the hospital, with no recollection of the trip there. Since the beginning of the month of December, I battled sickness that, although not initially beginning as Covid, ended up with me in the hospital for 6 days with Covid, as well as bacterial and viral pneumonia. I had no idea of the gravity of the situation until I was later told I had a 50/50 chance of surviving. Having been discharged from the hospital, and upon hearing someone say, “Shawn, this is a miracle of God,” I have garnered a new perspective on several things that I'll share today on Crossroads & Culture. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/shawn-barnard/support