ReCreate Church’s Podcast

ReCreate Church

Based in Hillsville, Virginia, this is the podcast of ReCreate Church. We are a community of Life and Love.

  1. 1d ago

    When You Fall in The Gully - ReCreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley - July 12, 2026

    When You Fall in The Gully Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: 1 John 5:16-17 1 John Series, Part 23 Episode Summary In part 23 of the 1 John series, Pastor Michael tells the story of two brothers who fall into a deep gully - one who keeps struggling to get out, and one who decorates it and settles in. Through 1 John's teaching on praying for believers caught in sin, we discover that everyone falls sometimes, but what you do next makes all the difference. It's better to struggle with sin than to settle in sin. Key Points - John calls believers to pray for fellow believers who are caught in sin - the first response should be intercession, not indignation - Sin not leading to death is sin that is met with repentance and a return to God - Sin leading to death is unrepentant sin that a person settles into and refuses to leave - Struggle is a sign of life - a dead mouse doesn't try to get out of the trap - Don't stop throwing the rope, even if the person won't take it Main Takeaway The question isn't whether you've sinned - we all have. The question is what you're doing with your sin. Are you hiding it or confessing it? Feeding it or fighting it? Settling in or struggling to get back to Jesus? Don't decorate the gully. Take the rope, climb out, and then throw it back in for someone else. Memorable Quotes - "It's better to struggle with sin than to settle in sin." - "Everyone sins sometimes. It's what you do next that matters." - "When a brother is tripped up, the first action should be intercession, not indignation." - "If your plan includes scheduling the apology before committing the sin, you're not repenting, you're forging a permission slip." - "Repentance is the difference between death and life." - "Don't stop throwing the rope, even if the person won't take it." Reflection Question Are you struggling to get out of the gully, or have you started decorating it? And is there someone in your life who needs you to throw them a rope right now? Tune in to hear the full story of Eddie, Ray, Cecil, and the legendary "Bless This Mess" license plate sign - and why struggle is actually a sign of spiritual life. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

  2. Jul 5

    The Beggar, The Boss, and The Bold - ReCreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley - July 5, 2026

    The Beggar, The Boss, and The Bold Speaker: Pastor Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: 1 John 5:14-15 1 John Series, Part 22 Episode Summary Returning to the 1 John series, Pastor Michael uses an original skit about three siblings trying to ask their Dad for a puppy to illustrate three very different approaches to prayer. Are you a Beggar - too timid to bother God? A Boss - trying to manipulate or demand your way? Or Bold - a child who trusts a loving Father to hear and answer wisely? John gives us a better way to pray. Key Points - Our confidence in prayer is not based on who we are, but on Who God Is - Believers are not beggars at the door - we are children of the household, with a claim rooted in The Blood of Christ - Praying "according to His will" means trusting God more than we trust ourselves - The problem is wanting the promises of prayer without the surrender of prayer - God hears, God cares, and God will act - we can pray with boldness AND trust Main Takeaway Pray like a bold child asking a loving Father. Not with the timidity of a beggar who fears being turned away, and not with the arrogance of a boss who demands his own way. Come honestly, come confidently, and trust that a Father Who loves you will do what is best - even when the answer is not what you expected. Memorable Quotes - "Your confidence for prayer is not based on who you are. It is based on Who God Is." - "A kid doesn't have to make an appointment to ask Dad a question." - "Prayer is not me taking the throne; it's me coming boldly to the throne." - "It's a problem when we want the promises of prayer without the surrender of prayer." - "The beggar is afraid God will not listen. The boss is angry if God does not obey. But the bold child has learned something better." - "If my Father hears me, I am not forgotten. If my Father loves me, I am not unsafe. If my Father is wise, His Answer is better than anything I can ask for." Reflection Question When you pray, which are you most like - Bex the Beggar, Boz the Boss, or Bo the Bold? What would it look like to bring your requests to God with confidence and trust this week? Tune in to hear the hilarious skit featuring three siblings hoping for a dog, and the legendary fate of Mister Nibbles the hamster - and discover what it really means to pray like a bold child asking a loving Father. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

  3. Jun 29

    Unsinkable - ReCreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley - June 28, 2026

    Unsinkable Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33 Episode Summary Fresh off Vacation Bible School week, Pastor Michael uses the scientific principle of buoyancy to explore what happens when life pulls us under. Through the story of Peter walking on water - and beginning to sink - we discover that Jesus doesn't wait for us to have it together before reaching out His hand. When we're sinking, all we need are three words: "Lord, save me!" Key Points - The Disciples were in a storm because they obeyed Jesus - the presence of a storm doesn't mean the absence of God - Peter is the only person besides Jesus to ever walk on water, but fear shifted his focus from Christ to chaos - Fear doesn't drown us all at once - it steals our focus one wave and one "what if" at a time - Jesus reached out immediately when Peter cried out - not after Peter proved himself worthy - Jesus never asked us to save ourselves. He asked us to trust Him. Main Takeaway Jesus saves sinking people. Not the ones who have it all figured out. Not the ones whose faith never wavers. People whose faith is struggling, who are exhausted, who don't know what to do next. When you're sinking, don't wait for the right words or the right moment - cry out: "Lord, save me!" Memorable Quotes - "Jesus saves sinking people." - "The presence of a storm doesn't mean the absence of God. Just because the wind is against you doesn't mean God Is against you." - "If Jesus calls you, He'll carry you. If He commands you, He'll keep you." - "Fear doesn't have to drown you all at once. It just has to steal your focus. One wave at a time. One 'what if' at a time." - "We spend so much of our lives trying harder, working harder, holding on tighter. But eventually it all runs out. And we learn the truth - Jesus never asked us to save ourselves." - "When my heart changed, my situation changed." Reflection Question Are you trying to save yourself before crying out to Jesus? What would it look like to stop waiting and simply say, "Lord, save me"? Tune in to hear Pastor Michael's vulnerable account of a year of chest pains, muscle spasms, and a left eyelid impersonating a grasshopper - and how crying out to Jesus changed everything. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

  4. Jun 22

    Seek God, Stay Close, Tear Down the Idols - ReCreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley - June 21, 2026

    Seek God, Stay Close, Tear Down the Idols Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: 2 Chronicles 15:1-8 Episode Summary In this Father's Day 2026 message, Pastor Michael uses an original skit about King Asa, the Prophet Azariah, and the legendary Shelemiah the Shawarma Guy to bring a timeless message from 2 Chronicles to life. God didn't send a prophet to Asa when things were falling apart - He sent one right after a great victory. Because staying close to God when things are going well may be the hardest thing we're called to do. Key Points - God seeks us out not just when we're in trouble, but after victory - when we're most likely to drift - Seeking God means coming to Him as we are, without straightening up first - He helps us work through the mess - Staying close means not waiting for trouble to remind us we need God - Idols are anything we can't be okay without - the things we run to for identity, comfort, or worth instead of God Main Takeaway Seek God, Stay Close, Tear Down the Idols. God promises He can be found by those who seek Him. But victory, comfort, and success can quietly pull us back into old patterns and habits. It takes courage to recognize what has too much of our heart - and the guts to tear it down. Memorable Quotes - "The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you." - "He made Himself findable." - "Nobody drifts away all at once." - "An idol is the thing we can't be okay without." - "When your soul feels like a shaken-up soda bottle - what do you reach for? If it's not your God, it might be your idol." - "Nothing that pulls you away from The Heavenly Father is making you a promise you can trust." Reflection Question Are there idols - money, success, control, comfort, approval - that have quietly taken too much of your heart? What would it look like to have the courage to tear them down? Tune in to hear the hilarious skit featuring King Asa, Azariah the Prophet, and Shelemiah's Shawarma Shack, and discover why God sends His message right after our victories, not just our failures. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

  5. Jun 15

    The Woman at the Well - Parts I & II - ReCreate Church, David Boudreaux, Elder of ReCreate Church - June 14, 2026

    The Woman at the Well - Parts I & II Speaker: David Boudreaux, Elder of ReCreate Church Scripture: John 4:3-42 Episode Summary Filling in for Pastor Shockley, Elder David Boudreaux explores the familiar story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well - but with a twist. While "Part I" covers Jesus' surprising conversation with an outcast woman, "Part II" reveals an often-overlooked transformation: how this woman with a troubled past and reputation became one of the first evangelists, leading an entire town to meet Jesus. Key Points - Jesus crossed deep ethnic and social barriers by speaking with a Samaritan woman at midday - Jesus offered her "living water" that would become a fountain springing up into everlasting life - Despite knowing her troubled past, Jesus revealed Himself to her as the Messiah - The woman immediately ran to tell her town, leaving her water pot behind in her excitement - Many Samaritans believed first because of her testimony, then because they encountered Jesus themselves Main Takeaway God can use anybody who is submitted to Him - even someone with a reputation, a painful past, and few friends. If you've experienced Jesus in a way that moved you, the question isn't whether you're qualified to share it, but whether you're willing to be His minister to a fallen world. Memorable Quotes - "Could this be the Christ?" - "He told me all that I ever did." - "Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" - "Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." - "If you are a Christian, you are a minister... All believers need to be trained in the Word of God so they can do the work of the ministry." Reflection Question Are you storing up the Good News in your heart, or are you being faithful to share what Jesus has done for you - even with people who might not expect to hear it from you? Tune in to hear the full historical background on Jewish-Samaritan tensions, the woman's surprising transformation from social outcast to evangelist, and what it means for all of us to be "ministers" of the Gospel. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

  6. Jun 7

    Get Off The Fence - ReCreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley - June 7, 2026

    Get Off The Fence Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: 1 John 5:9-13 Episode Summary Opening with a hilarious skit about Earl literally sitting on a fence while trying to decide which side to be on (with the threat of Granny Browder looming), Pastor Michael addresses the spiritual fence-sitting that keeps people from committing to Jesus. Through 1 John, he challenges why anyone would hesitate when God has clearly spoken about His Son. Key Points – We trust human witnesses all the time (doctors, weather reports, history books), so God's witness is surely greater and more trustworthy – Claiming to keep an open mind while refusing to believe what's right in front of you isn't careful consideration - it's willful rejection – Believing in Jesus means the testimony moves inside you and changes you - you can't truly know Jesus without being transformed – Refusing to believe what God plainly tells us about Jesus is the same as calling God a liar – Eternal life isn't earned through effort or religious performance but given to those who have the Son - it's relational, not transactional – Assurance of salvation isn't based on feeling confident or victorious but on believing you belong to Jesus through the witness of God – Challenging times don't create faith weakness - they reveal it and strengthen it, like climbing stairs reveals cardiovascular weakness and builds strength Main Takeaway Why sit on the fence when God has spoken? Once you know the truth, you have to get down and make a choice. Continuing to sit on the fence becomes dishonest unbelief, not neutrality. God has testified that "he who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son does not have life." Eternal life begins now and reaches fullness in Heaven - it's purpose, peace, strength, renewal, and hope that even death can't take away. At some point, when God has spoken and your next breath isn't promised, you can't keep sitting on the fence. Memorable Quotes – "Why sit on the fence when God Has Spoken?" – "When God has spoken, and we have heard, how can we keep sitting on the fence?" – "Calling God a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given." – "Eternal life is given to those who have The Son." – "Everyone exists, but not everyone has life." – "Sitting on the fence doesn't keep the peace, it just gives both sides something to complain about." – "Sometimes not deciding is a decision. Life will decide for you." Reflection Question Are you sitting on the fence about Jesus, thinking you have plenty of time to decide? What's really keeping you from getting down and committing - fear, pride, unwillingness to change, or something else? Tune in to hear the delightful skit about Earl sitting on a fence with his "hindquarters sawed in half," Jed's warnings about Granny Browder, and Earl's concern about being judged by cows, plus the powerful truth that assurance of salvation isn't about never struggling but about knowing you belong. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

  7. Jun 1

    The One Who Holds it All Together - ReCreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley - May 31, 2026

    The One Who Holds it All Together Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: Colossians 1:15-17 (NLT) Episode Summary On a 5th Sunday family service, Pastor Michael invites kids up to conduct magnetic experiments while challenging the false idea that you can't love science AND love Jesus. Through Colossians 1:15-17, he reveals that Jesus is the Cosmic Painter and Eternal Engineer behind everything science studies, and that the same Jesus who holds atoms together can hold our lives together. Key Points – Invisible doesn't mean imaginary - just like we can't see magnetic force but can see what it does, we can't see God but can see what He does – Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God - He shows us what God is like in His heart and character by showing love to the forgotten, outcasts, and broken – Jesus created everything visible and invisible - all stars, atoms, molecules, light, matter, energy, space, time, and spiritual powers in the heavenly realms – "Firstborn" doesn't mean born first but first in rank, honor, authority, and supremacy - Jesus has real authority over galaxies and gravity, atoms and angels – Jesus holds all creation together - protons in atoms should repel each other and collapse, but they don't because Jesus sustains the laws that hold creation stable – The Same Jesus who holds the universe together can hold families together, hold our hearts together, and hold us when we're scared, grieving, or falling apart Main Takeaway Jesus made it all, Jesus owns it all, Jesus holds it all together. Science and faith aren't enemies - explaining how something works proves the brilliance of the designer, not that the designer doesn't exist. The more we learn about how the world works, the more we should praise God for making such an amazing world. When life feels like it's falling apart, remember that the Creator of Life is strong enough to hold you together. Memorable Quotes – "Jesus made it all, Jesus owns it all, Jesus holds it all together." – "Invisible doesn't mean imaginary." – "Science shows us how. Faith shows us Who." – "Science doesn't make God smaller. It shows us more and more how BIG He Is!" – "Jesus loves us and laid down His Life for us. And then He Rose Again, because The Creator of Life can't be conquered by death." – "The Same Jesus Who Holds the universe together can help us hold it together." – "If you're turning your heart toward Jesus, He attracts you. If you're turning away, you resist His Love." Reflection Question What parts of your life feel like they're falling apart? Are you willing to trust the One who holds atoms together with holding your heart, your family, and your future together? Tune in to hear the interactive magnetic experiments with kids, why spilled milk never spells out the meaning of life (proving accidents make messes, not masterpieces), the explanation of why atoms don't blow apart, and why Pastor Michael is excited about Vacation Bible School's "Glad Scientist" theme. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

  8. May 24

    When Life Leaves You Guessing - ReCreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley - May 24, 2026

    When Life Leaves You Guessing Speaker: Michael Shockley, ReCreate Church Scripture: 1 John 5:6-8 Episode Summary Pastor Michael opens with relatable grocery store struggles - from bringing a TI-80 graphing calculator to calculate the cost per cracker, to Robot Karen declaring "unexpected item in the bagging area." Through 1 John's teaching about three witnesses (Water, Blood, Spirit), he reveals that while life constantly leaves us guessing about so many things, we never have to guess about Jesus. Key Points – The Water (Jesus's baptism) reveals Jesus as the Beloved Son of God who came to save us - He stood where sinners stand, not because He needed repentance but because He stands with sinners – The Blood (Jesus's death) wasn't just an example or symbol but atonement and redemption - the Cross is salvational, not just inspirational – The Holy Spirit is the living witness who continues to bear witness now through transformed lives - doctrine can be argued, but changed lives are harder to dispute – Some ancient manuscripts include verse 7 and some don't, but this shouldn't weaken faith - it shows how meticulously Scripture has been preserved and scrutinized – The human problem isn't lack of information but resistance to God - the Spirit opens eyes and always points us to Jesus, not ourselves – Three witnesses agree: The Water says "Look at Jesus," The Blood says "Look at Jesus," The Spirit says "Look at Jesus" Main Takeaway Life leaves us guessing, but we never have to guess about Jesus. We guess about groceries, which checkout line is fastest, and whether that pulled pork is still good - but some things are too important to guess about. Deep spiritual questions about identity, purpose, suffering, and eternity ache within us. The world offers guesses, but God gives witnesses. Your safety doesn't depend on understanding the bridge but on the bridge's strength to hold you. Feelings change, circumstances change, but you never have to guess about Jesus. Memorable Quotes – "Life leaves us guessing, but we never have to guess about Jesus." – "At His Baptism, Jesus stood where sinners stand. At His Crucifixion, Jesus stood where sinners deserve to stand." – "One of the most powerful witnesses to the reality of Jesus is that your life used to be one way, and now it is another way." – "The Water says 'Look at Jesus.' The Blood says 'Look at Jesus.' The Spirit says 'Look at Jesus.'" Reflection Question What are you guessing about in life right now - relationships, work, parenting, your future? Are you willing to stop trusting guesses and start trusting the witnesses that all point to Jesus? Tune in to hear hilarious grocery store stories including Robot Karen judging your honey buns, the Rain Man of ramen noodles with his TI-80 calculator, the terrifying moment your debit card gets declined, and why Pastor Michael is an impatient introvert who crossed the Mile High Bridge as a four-year-old. Connect & Give Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org Give online easily and securely through Tithe.ly

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Based in Hillsville, Virginia, this is the podcast of ReCreate Church. We are a community of Life and Love.