Knowing God With Heart and Mind

Wisdom in the Desert: Choosing the Way of Humility

In this Lenten message from Shiloh Church of Jasper, Pastor Dan Sinkhorn continues the "Wisdom in the Desert" series by challenging the American myth of the self-made person and our cultural sense of entitlement. Drawing inspiration from the early Desert Fathers and Mothers, Pastor Dan explores what it means to practice true biblical humility and penitence, illustrating how the desert serves as a great equalizer for us all.

Through the lens of Philippians 2:5–11, this episode examines the Apostle Paul's lifelong "journey of reduction"—where he grew more secure in Christ as he viewed himself as increasingly smaller—and Jesus Christ's ultimate example of surrendering His divine privileges to become a servant. Listeners are invited to trade their desire for status and recognition for the "freedom of self-forgetfulness," embracing a life of unexceptional, faithful service to others. The episode concludes with a powerful recitation of the Wesley Covenant Prayer, challenging believers to fully surrender their lives and agendas to God's will.

Echo 45: Continuing Under the Reign of Christ

As this season of the Echo Podcast concludes, Pastor Dan reflects on the journey through Insurgence and the rediscovery of the gospel of the Kingdom. In a world that often feels contested and uncertain, this episode re-centers us on a steady truth: Jesus is King, and His Kingdom is already present. Rather than striving to build something new, we are invited to live faithfully within what is already true—under the reign of Christ.

Wisdom in the Desert: The Foolish Way of Wisdom

In a world drowning in noise and chasing curated perfection, where do we find real wisdom? Not in another life hack or influencer's feed, but in the "foolish" way of the Cross.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 that the wise person doesn't just hear His words—they put them into practice. The storms will come. The question is: are you building on rock or sand? This Lenten season, we're choosing the counter-cultural path of heavenly wisdom—the kind that's "pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit" (James 3).

Proverbs 8 reminds us that Wisdom is calling out at the crossroads. She's not hiding—but we have to quiet the noise to hear her voice. This week, choose peace over being right. Choose mercy over ambition. Build your life on the only foundation that lasts.

Echo 44 - Advancing the Kingdom: Overflow, Not Pressure

In this episode, Pastor Dan and Adrienne explore the concept of Kingdom advancement, emphasizing that it is driven by an overflow of a Christ-aligned life rather than human pressure or recruitment tactics. They argue that believers are not responsible for building the Kingdom, as Jesus already holds all authority; instead, their role is to live faithfully and allow God to work through them. By focusing on personal sanctification and authentic relationships, Christians become "reflectors" of God’s light, influencing those in their immediate circles through organic conversations rather than rigid sales pitches. The speakers conclude that true mission work happens when a person is internally transformed, allowing the Kingdom to expand naturally through a life marked by calm confidence and genuine love.

Wisdom in the Desert: The Freedom of Renunciation

This episode reflects on Matthew 6 and the warning against laying up treasures on earth, exploring the biblical term "maimon" (money/idol) and how consumer culture pulls us away from God. Drawing on the Desert Fathers, Pastor Dan invites listeners into a Lenten practice of fasting, silence, and intentional acts of resistance against materialism.

Through practical examples and a closing prayer, the message challenges us to simplify, practice generosity, and create space for God by turning off devices, resisting constant shopping, and embracing Sabbath-like solitude and charity.

Echo 43 - Kingdom Freedom: How Surrender Brings True Liberty

Pastor Dan and Adrienne unpack what it means to live free under the reign of Christ, arguing that surrender to a loving King creates true liberty rather than restrictive bondage.

Using vivid analogies and scripture, they contrast law and grace, discuss healthy boundaries, leadership, and anxiety, and offer practical signs of kingdom freedom that reshape priorities and remove the fear of failure.

Testimony and Desert Wisdom

Shiloh member, Tim Bolton, shares his powerful testimony and Pastor Dan follows with a brief message from our Desert Wisdom series. 

Echo 42-Turning Toward the Kingdom: Repentance as Soil-Tending

Pastor Dan and Adrienne explore repentance as a hopeful turning toward the kingdom, using seed and soil metaphors to explain how repentance differs from shame and guilt.

The episode walks through repentance as both a one-time turning to enter God’s kingdom and a daily, practical process of realignment—clearing old patterns, tending the heart’s soil, and growing into life with Christ. Listeners are offered gentle, practical images and spiritual practices to help maintain and renew their faith.

Wisdom in the Desert ~ Intensifying my Hunger for Holiness

In this message, "Intensifying My Hunger for Holiness," we continue our Lenten journey, "Wisdom in the Desert,"by exploring the wilderness as a spiritual mirror that strips away our modern distractions and brings us eye-to-eye with our own brokenness. Drawing on the ancient wisdom of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, we move beyond viewing sin as a mere "lapse in judgment" to recognize it as a force that "desires to have us"—a force we are empowered to rule over through the Holy Spirit.

By identifying the "Eight Thoughts"—patterns like Acedia (spiritual apathy) and Vainglory (image management)—we learn to stop "toying" with the thoughts that entangle us and instead embrace a proactive, grace-fueled pursuit of a Christ-shaped life.

The Desert as a Place of Prayerful Pursuit

"People do not drift toward holiness."

We live in a world that majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. In an age where our attention spans are shrinking and our digital lives are louder than ever, how do we find the "lonely places" where Jesus met with His Father?

In this Ash Wednesday message, we kick off our Lenten series, The Desert as a Place of Prayerful Pursuit. We draw wisdom from the ancient Desert Fathers and Mothers—radical believers who fled the distractions of the 3rd-century city to find deep intimacy with God in the wilderness.

In this recording, you’ll explore:

• The Theology of Effort: Why grace isn't opposed to effort, only to earning.

• The "Proskartereō" Life: What it means to have a "steely determination" in our prayer life.

• The Parable of the Bow: How to avoid the trap of "excessive religiosity" and find the unforced rhythms of grace.

• The Identity of the Beloved: Why we go into the wilderness because we are loved, not to prove we are worthy.

Lent is not a season of passive waiting; it is an intentional journey. Whether you feel spiritually vibrant or completely parched, join us as we "shut the door" on the noise and step into the desert to reignite our passion for Jesus.