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Pursuing God with Gene Appel
Gene Appel is the senior pastor of Eastside Christian Church, a multi-site church based in Anaheim, California. Since 2008, Gene has led Eastside into multiple seasons of rapid growth and as a result, Eastside has been consistently named among the 100 fastest growing churches in America. Gene’s recipe for success is simple: Pursue God, Build Community, and Unleash Compassion. Eastside’s explosive growth is rooted in a deep conviction that God’s heart and God’s grace is for everyone, resulting in a radically inclusive community of God-conscious “servant leaders” who serve both locally and globally. Join Gene Monday - Friday as he walks you through practical biblical teachings that will foster a deeper connection and awareness of God’s activity and presence in your life. No matter where you are at with your walk with God, this podcast is for everyone.
Pursuing God with Gene Appel
Episode 1184: The Pain of Christmas & the Promise of Jesus
Christmas isn’t always “the most wonderful time of the year.” For some of us, this time of year magnifies the pain we’re carrying… the empty chair at the table, the tension in relationships, the dreams that haven’t come true. Today I want to talk about the hard side of Christmas and remind you of the powerful promise Jesus makes in the middle of it all: “Behold, I am making all things new.” Not someday. Not just in heaven. But right now, even in the middle of your heartache. If this Christmas feels heavy, I hope you’ll take a few minutes with me today. Don’t pretend. Don’t force the joy. Just come as you are. And let’s draw near to the One who promises to draw near to us.
Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside’s conviction that God’s grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God’s presence and activity in your life.