Westside Podcast

Westside Community Church

This is the official weekly podcast of Westside Community Church in Beaverton, Oregon. We’re made up of a variety of people who like to keep it real, don’t take themselves too seriously and who want to get the most out of life.  At Westside, we welcome people from all walks of life – in fact, there are NO PERFECT PEOPLE ALLOWED! We strive to be a "safe place to investigate faith" so people can come as they are and be themselves while they explore who Jesus is, find friends and make a difference.   We post content here that is practical, helpful, and relevant to real life. We hope you'll find the inspiration, motivation and help to grow. #help #hope #practical #jesus #growth #spiritualgrowth #nojudgment

  1. 4d ago

    What If You're Part of the Problem? A Psychologist on Loving Difficult People

    Send us Fan Mail Everyone has that one person who's hard to love. But what if part of the problem is how we show up? This week on Midweek Motivation, Jess sits down with Nancy, a psychologist and coach, to unpack the question from the weekend message that hit a lot of us hard. Nancy shares five words that change how you handle difficult people, why the thing underneath anger is usually fear, and the surprisingly practical reason you should make your point and then head to the bathroom. Discover: Why it only takes one person to change the dance in a relationshipFive words for loving people who aren't like you: love, curiosity, humility, courage, and peaceWhat it means to be curious, not criticalHow to recognize harmful behavior without dehumanizing the personHow Jess is still learning new things about her husband after 20 years of marriageHow to say what you need without starting a tug-of-war You can love someone without agreeing with them. You can love someone without excusing their actions. And you can love someone without giving up healthy boundaries. When you see the person across the table as God's child, the whole conversation changes, even if they never do. Key Takeaways: You can't control the other person, but changing your part changes the danceAsk what's underneath the anger, in them and in youSeek to understand before you seek to be understoodSay what you need, then leave it to be thought aboutDon't let someone else steal your peace Question for you to think about: Who's the difficult person in your life right now, and what's one way you could show up differently next time? If this gave you something to work on, send it to someone who's in a tough relationship right now. Drop a comment and tell us which of the five words you need most. Subscribe so you never miss a Midweek Motivation. Scripture referenced: 1 John, Mark 12:31 SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1 Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx #MidweekMotivation #DifficultPeople #Relationships #WestsideCommunityChurch #HealthyBoundaries #Communication #Psychology #LoveYourNeighbor #ChristianLiving

    What If You're Part of the Problem? A Psychologist on Loving Difficult People
  2. Oct 14

    Everyone Says "Call Me Anytime." Why Does Almost Nobody Actually Call?

    Send us Fan Mail How many people have told you "call me anytime"? And how many times have you actually called? This week on Midweek Motivation, Jess sits down with Rachel to talk about hiding, being seen, and why confession might be one of the best gifts God ever gave us. Rachel shares how she went from wanting to be invisible to making friends at the grocery store, what clown classes taught her about going first, and the moment she sat in her car, picked up the phone, and stopped pretending everything was okay. Discover: Why confession isn't a courtroom or a punishment, and what God actually meant by itThe two steps of confession: to God, then to a safe person who can walk with youWhy the things we keep in the shadows keep their power over usWhat Moses needing help to hold up his arms says about grace in communityHow clown and improv classes taught Rachel that someone has to set the tonePractical ways to find safe people and practice being vulnerable before it's urgent Hiding feels safer. But whatever stays in the dark keeps messing with your thoughts, your emotions, and how you see yourself. When it's brought into the light with someone you trust, it starts to lose its hold. That's the freedom on the other side of the risk. Key Takeaways: Confession is a gift, not a punishmentStart by being honest with God, then find one safe personSafe people share your values, have earned your trust over time, and have permission to hold you accountablePractice vulnerability in low-stakes moments so you're ready when it countsSometimes you have to go first Question for you to think about: Who is the one person you'd actually call, and what's stopping you? If this encouraged you, send it to someone who's told you "call me anytime." Drop a comment and tell us what helped you take your first step toward being seen. Subscribe so you never miss a Midweek Motivation. Scriptures referenced: 1 John 1:5 to 2:2, James 5:16-17, Romans 8, 1 John 4:18, Exodus 17 SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1 Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx #MidweekMotivation #Vulnerability #Confession #WestsideCommunityChurch #Grace #Healing #ChristianCommunity #StopHiding #SafePeople

    Everyone Says "Call Me Anytime." Why Does Almost Nobody Actually Call?
  3. Oct 7

    Loneliness Is as Deadly as 15 Cigarettes a Day. So Why Do We Keep Choosing It?

    Send us Fan Mail Half of American adults are measurably lonely, and the research says it's hurting our bodies as much as our hearts. This week on Midweek Motivation, Jess gets honest about why real connection feels so risky, especially if you're shy or introverted like she was. She walks through Acts 4 and what the early church called koinonia, and shares how two walks a week at work turned into a best friendship that has lasted through parenting, marriage, and ministry. Discover: What the U.S. Surgeon General and AARP research say about the loneliness epidemicWhy we lean on simulated connection instead of the real thingWhat koinonia means and what it looked like in Acts 4How a Tuesday and Thursday walking habit grew into a David and Jonathan kind of friendshipWhy a weekly growth group became something Jess misses when it's goneWhy your body can tell when you're alone Getting close to people is a risk. You might get rejected. You have to be vulnerable. But Jess has been on both sides, and from the other side she can say it's worth it. Most of the time the risk is bigger in our heads than in real life. Key Takeaways: We weren't designed to do life aloneReal friendship involves risk, and it's worth itOur fears usually make the risks feel bigger than they areTechnology makes it easier to DIY life, but nothing beats real connectionYour next step can be small: a walk, a coffee, a growth group Question for you to think about: What's one small risk you could take this week to get to know someone better? If this hit home, send it to someone you'd like to be closer to. Drop a comment and tell us about a friendship that changed your life. Subscribe so you never miss a Midweek Motivation. Scripture referenced: Acts 4:32-37 Statistics referenced: U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 Advisory on Loneliness and Isolation; AARP loneliness study of adults 45+ SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1 Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx #MidweekMotivation #Loneliness #Friendship #WestsideCommunityChurch #Koinonia #Acts4 #ChristianCommunity #Connection #Fellowship

    Loneliness Is as Deadly as 15 Cigarettes a Day. So Why Do We Keep Choosing It?
  4. Sep 30

    Someone Stole His Battery. The Friend Who Showed Up Changed His Life

    Send us Fan Mail His car battery got stolen at a ski lodge. He called a friend he hadn't talked to in a while. That friend showed up, took one look at him, and said, "You need to follow Jesus." That was November 1976, and Tony still has the Bible he took from the nightstand that day. This week on Midweek Motivation, Jess wraps up the BLESS series with the final step: Share Your Story. She sits down with Tony, a long-time Westside volunteer, who shares one of the most raw and emotional faith stories you'll hear, and breaks down why your story is something nobody can take away from you. Discover: The full story of how a stolen car battery at Timberline Lodge led to a life-changing conversationWhy the Bible Tony took from a hotel nightstand in 1976 still means everything to himA simple three-part framework for sharing your faith story: before Jesus, your encounter, and after JesusWhy "because it's true" might be the most powerful answer to "why do you follow Jesus?"How Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a war horse, and what that means for how we share the gospelWhy your story is your greatest tool and nobody can tell you it didn't happen You don't need a theology degree. You don't need a script. You don't need to have all the answers. You just need your story, because it actually happened, and that's something no one can argue with. Tony's been sharing his for almost 50 years and it still makes him cry. That's how you know it's real Key Takeaways: Your story is yours, and nobody can tell you it didn't happenShare your faith the way Jesus modeled it: gently, peacefully, kindlyYou don't need perfect theology to tell someone what Jesus did for youThe BLESS framework puts sharing last for a reason: trust comes firstBe bold, but come in on a donkey, not a war horse Question for you to think about: If someone asked you today, "Why do you follow Jesus?" would you have an answer ready? If Tony's story moved you, share this with someone who needs to hear it. Drop a comment with your own story. Subscribe so you never miss a Midweek Motivation. Series: The Wild Work of God at Westside Community Church Framework: BLESS (Begin with prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, Share) Scriptures referenced: 1 Peter 3:15, Luke 19, Luke 10, Ephesians 6 Tool: Download the Westside app to use the BLESS tool iPhone/iPad: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/westside-comm-church/id1479755097 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.pushpay.westsidecommunitychurchcc SUBSCRIBE to always see our content and let us reach more people for Jesus: https://www.youtube.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx?sub_confirmation=1 Give to support this ministry and help us reach people all around the world: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com/give Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx #MidweekMotivation #BLESS #ShareYourStory #WestsideCommunityChurch #WildWorkOfGod #Testimony #Easter #HolyWeek #Faith #WhyIFollowJesus

    Someone Stole His Battery. The Friend Who Showed Up Changed His Life
5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

This is the official weekly podcast of Westside Community Church in Beaverton, Oregon. We’re made up of a variety of people who like to keep it real, don’t take themselves too seriously and who want to get the most out of life.  At Westside, we welcome people from all walks of life – in fact, there are NO PERFECT PEOPLE ALLOWED! We strive to be a "safe place to investigate faith" so people can come as they are and be themselves while they explore who Jesus is, find friends and make a difference.   We post content here that is practical, helpful, and relevant to real life. We hope you'll find the inspiration, motivation and help to grow. #help #hope #practical #jesus #growth #spiritualgrowth #nojudgment