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. Can You Actually Trust the Bible? The Manuscripts, the "Mistakes" & the Canon

    5d ago

    Can You Actually Trust the Bible? The Manuscripts, the "Mistakes" & the Canon

    Send us Fan Mail What if the most questioned book in history is also the most reliable? This week Jess sits down with Pastor Gabe for a follow-up to Sunday's message — a no-holds-barred FAQ on how we actually got the Bible, why there are so many translations, and whether you can really trust what's in your hands. Discover: Why there are so many Bible translations — and why you shouldn't pick just oneWord-for-word vs. meaning-for-meaning (verbal vs. dynamic equivalence) explained simplyWhat "God-breathed" really means — did God dictate every word, or something more?The difference between the Holy Spirit being with you and in youHow the early church councils decided what counted as ScriptureHow the Bible's manuscript evidence compares to other ancient documentsThe different types of writing in the Bible (and why mixing them up trips people up)How to choose a trustworthy study Bible — and the red flag to watch forWhere to actually start reading if you're new or starting overReflection: Faith was never meant to be fragile. The questions you've been afraid to ask — about copies, councils, and contradictions — aren't threats to your faith; they're an invitation to go deeper. As Gabe puts it, there's no end to the depth you can go with Jesus, and you're meant to feel pulled along, not overwhelmed. Whether you're a lifelong reader or cracking it open for the first time, the goal isn't just believing the right things about the Bible — it's getting God's Word into your heart, where transformation actually happens. Key Takeaways: Use multiple translations as different lenses — together they give you a fuller pictureA proverb is generally true; it's not a personal guarantee — read each book for what it isThe reliability of Scripture isn't built on blind faith — it's backed by manuscript evidenceA good study Bible names its translation team; if you can't find the scholars, that's a red flagStart with John, then go back to Genesis — get on a reading plan, and don't do it aloneQuestion for you to think about: What price have you paid for what you believe — and would it hold up under pressure? Calls to Action: If this gave you something to chew on, like this video, drop your own Bible questions in the comments, and share it with someone who's wrestling with doubt. New here? Subscribe so you never miss an episode — and come visit us some weekend at Westside. LINKS & RESOURCES:  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/giveSTAY CONNECTED:  Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdxHashtags: #MidweekMotivation #WestsideCommunityChurch #Bible #BibleStudy #CanYouTrustTheBible #Christianity #Faith #BibleTranslations #HowWeGotTheBible #ChristianPodcast #Apologetics #Scripture #FaithJourney #Jesus

    44 min
  2. Can Reading the Bible Actually Rewire Your Brain? Neuroplasticity & the Nun Study

    Jun 17

    Can Reading the Bible Actually Rewire Your Brain? Neuroplasticity & the Nun Study

    Send us Fan Mail What if "renewing your mind" isn't just a nice phrase — what if it's something happening physically, inside your brain? This week Jess sits down with Rachel for a deep dive into one fascinating question: does reading the Bible actually change your brain? They get into the neuroscience, the Scripture, and the real-life moments where the Word of God shifted something they could genuinely feel. Discover: The science of neuroplasticity — and why it lines up with what Scripture already saidRomans 12:2 and what "renewing your mind" looks like at the level of your actual brainThe famous nun study on aging, Alzheimer's, and the power of cognitive reserveWhy self-help can only take you as far as you can take yourself — and where grace changes the mathGabe's simple framework: here daily, discuss weekly, obey immediatelyHow obedience becomes confirmation (and one very unexpected kitten)Reflection paragraph: Here's the encouraging part: you are not stuck with the thought patterns you've always had. Your brain is malleable, your mind can lead it, and God built you with the capacity to change. But the change isn't about white-knuckling positive thinking — it's about partnering with God, choosing your input, and deciding ahead of time what truth you'll reach for when your thoughts start to spiral. You put in the work; grace multiplies it past anything you could do on your own. Key Takeaways: You're not a victim of your biology — you get to be a co-creator of your future alongside GodDon't just stop the negative thought, replace it; know your truth before you need it (Philippians 4:8)Community accelerates growth — connect with people a little further down the road than youAsk the real questions. If you're actually after truth, you'll find itObey immediately. Alignment with God is the goal, and confirmation tends to followQuestion for you to think about: What's one thought you keep defaulting to — and what's the truth from God's Word you could intentionally replace it with this week? Calls to Action: If this encouraged you, hit subscribe, give it a like, and share it with someone who needs it. Got a question about the Bible — how it was put together, where it came from, what it actually is? Drop it in the comments. We're getting into exactly that next week, and we may answer yours on the show. And if you're local, come visit a weekend service at Westside. LINKS & RESOURCES:  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/giveSTAY CONNECTED:  Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdxHashtags: #MidweekMotivation #WestsideCommunityChurch #Neuroplasticity #RenewYourMind #FaithAndScience #Romans12 #RewireYourBrain #SwitchOnYourBrain #ChristianPodcast #ChristianMentalHealth #SpiritualGrowth #Philippians4 #BibleStudy #Faith

    33 min
  3. Decision or Drift: The Question That Changes Everything About How You Follow Jesus

    Jun 10

    Decision or Drift: The Question That Changes Everything About How You Follow Jesus

    Send us Fan Mail Every single day, you're either making a decision — or drifting into one. In this episode of Midweek Motivation, Jess and Rachel unpack one of the most honest conversations about faith, focus, and following Jesus you'll hear. Using Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" as a jumping-off point, they dig into what it actually looks like to choose a direction — and what pulls us off course when we're not paying attention. Discover: The real difference between decision and drift — and why "not deciding" is still a choiceWhat analysis paralysis, people pleasing, and comfort have in common (and how they stall your faith)Why knowing your target is the first step to staying on courseThe power of protecting intentional space for God — including spiritual retreats, daily Scripture, and prayerWhat it looks and feels like to experience God in a way that moves faith from your head to your heart to your feetHow Rachel's house offer, Jess's financial decisions, and a late-night chip craving all connect to the same spiritual principleWhat Matthew and the rich young ruler teach us about going all in versus almost leaning inReflection paragraph: Drift doesn't announce itself. It's the slow pull of comfort, distraction, and urgency that gradually moves you away from the direction you chose. But the good news is that every moment is an invitation to re-engage — to quiet the noise, ask Jesus to lead, and take one intentional step forward. Decision isn't a one-time moment. It's a posture you choose over and over again. Key Takeaways: Not deciding is deciding — drift is always the default when intention is absentKnow your target: vague goals make drift easy; clear direction makes decisions for youProtect your space with God — experiences with him move faith from head to heart to feetFilter decisions through Scripture, trusted community, and prayer — not just what feels rightFaith over fear is a choice you have to keep making, not a feeling you wait forLeaning in requires ownership — receiving the gift of Jesus means engaging with what that actually meansQuestion for you to think about: Where in your life right now are you drifting — and what would it look like to make an intentional decision instead? Calls to Action: If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who's standing at a fork right now — and subscribe so you never miss a new episode. Drop a comment below: What's one area of your life where you're choosing decision over drift? LINKS & RESOURCES: 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/giveSTAY CONNECTED: Website: https://www.westsidecommunitychurch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdx Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidecommunitychurchpdxHashtags: #MidweekMotivation #WestsideCommunitychurch #DecisionOrDrift #ChristianPodcast #FaithOverFear #FollowingJesus #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #Intentional #Discipleship #BiblicalDecisions #FaithWalk #JesusFollower #TakeTheLeap #RoadNotTaken

    39 min
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