Knowing God With Heart and Mind

Rain on Parched Ground: A Pastor’s Renewal

Pastor Dan reads from Isaiah 55 and reflects on a season of spiritual drought and renewal during his leave. Using the image of rain on parched ground, he shares how preparing the soil of the soul—through prayer, repentance, and releasing long-held burdens—opens us to God’s refreshing Word.

The message emphasizes immediate response to the Spirit, forgiveness as freedom, and practical habits for receiving God’s renewing grace so we can bear fruit and walk in new life.

Further Up and Further In — A Pastor's Return

After a season of intentional rest and spiritual renewal, Pastor Dan returns grateful and refreshed, thanking the congregation and staff for their faithfulness. He recounts deep recalibration, honest reflection, and moments of writing, prayer, and family time that renewed his calling.

He celebrates the church's growth in his absence, the courage of guest speakers and youth, and invites the congregation to keep moving "further up and further in" toward God's heart—embracing Sabbath rest, mentorship, and an ongoing journey of transformation.

Podcasts Resume October 13, 2025

Pastor Dan is back after a fulfilling renewal leave. Messages will resume here October 13, 2025. Thank you for your patience. 

See You In October!

Pastor Dan will be away from here for a short break. His recordings will resume October 2025.

AI DEEP DIVE: Embracing Renewal: A Pastor's Journey of Reflection and Rest

This is another AI generated "deep dive" created within Google's Notebook LM. It may not be entirely accurate about subtle details. For example Steve Seitz was the founding pastor of Shiloh, not "a long time member" as described. Katrina is not Pastor Dan's wife, as described last week. Still, the discussion is very insightful and enriches the overall value of the recent sermon message. Enjoy, and let us know what you think. 

Embracing Renewal: A Pastor's Journey of Reflection and Rest

In a heartfelt message, Pastor Dan shares his mixed feelings about taking a renewal leave, emphasizing the necessity of rest and spiritual growth after years of continuous service. With honesty and vulnerability, he expresses gratitude for the support from his congregation while reflecting on his nearly thirty years of ministry, eight as pastor at Shiloh Church. Pastor Dan reminisces about the challenges and triumphs experienced together, drawing parallels to biblical journeys of renewal.

As Pastor Dan prepares to step away temporarily, he discusses his hopes for both personal rejuvenation and the future of Shiloh Church. He envisions a period of spiritual retreat, reflection, and rediscovering his intimacy with God, while encouraging the congregation to continue their journey of discipleship and leadership development.

This episode is a profound testament to the importance of rest, the power of community support, and the anticipation of God's unfolding plans. Pastor Dan invites the church family to embrace this season with faith and excitement for what lies ahead.

AI DEEP DIVE: "Embracing the Sabbath Reset: A Journey to Spiritual Renewal"

Hear's an experiment with an AI generated discussion of Pastor Dan's latest sermon, "Embracing the Sabbath Reset: A Journey to Spiritual Renewal". It was created using Google's NotebookLM. Let us know what you think. 

"Embracing the Sabbath Reset: A Journey to Spiritual Renewal"

In this message, Pastor Dan will explore the profound significance of the Sabbath as a critical component of discipleship, comparing it to a reset button for our lives. Much like rebooting a malfunctioning device, Sabbath is about detaching from everyday distractions to restore our spiritual health and harmony with God. The discussion highlights Jesus as the ultimate embodiment of Jubilee and encourages us to trust and embrace faith in His grace.

We delve into practical steps towards achieving true Sabbath rest, emphasizing the importance of self-love and renewing critical relationships—in particular, our relationship with ourselves, God, and others. As we align our hearts and minds with God's spirit, we discover the ability to extend grace and love to those around us. Ultimately, this episode invites listeners to tune into God’s rhythm and seek intimate connections that transcend worldly achievements.

Join us as we receive God's call to Sabbath rest, where we learn to breathe in sync with Him and transform our lives through His holy grace.

Deep Dive-Finding Divine Rest: A Faithful Pause

Hear's an experiment with an AI generated discussion of Pastor Dan's latest sermon, "Finding Devine Rest: A Faithful Pause. It was created using Google's NotebookLM. Let us know what you think. 

Finding Divine Rest: A Faithful Pause

In this message, Pastor Dan explores the profound significance of the Sabbath, emphasizing the importance of rest and recreation as divine practices. Delve into how God perceives our work and achievements, questioning the cultural norms that often equate productivity with value. Discover biblical insights into intentional rest, drawing from Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus, to understand how God designed rest not merely as an escape from labor but as a sacred space to deepen our relationship with Him.

Join the journey of moving beyond the busyness of life to find solace in the presence of God. Uncover the transformative power of resting with purpose, aligning body and spirit with God's will. Experience the essence of a spiritually fulfilling life where communal worship and personal faith converge to bring about sanctification and holiness. This message calls us to reflect and reset, encouraging a path of authentic connection with the Almighty and the community of believers.