The Open Souls || From The Archives

As we continue our archived series Life in Color, we explore the nature of happiness. Pastor Erwin reflects on a personal story about waking up smiling, underscoring the joy found in small moments. This leads into a deeper discussion on how happiness is often elusive, but attainable when we focus on hope, awe, and living authentically. The conversation highlights that those who experience the most joy are often the ones who live with an openness of mind, heart, and soul. We delve into the significance of maintaining an "open system" in life, as opposed to a "closed system." A closed system is described as living in fear and saying "no" to new possibilities, while an open system is about embracing life with a sense of adventure, curiosity, and trust. The speaker uses biblical references, including Jeremiah 33 and the life of Moses, to illustrate the importance of being open to learning from various sources and experiences, even those outside one’s faith. The episode continues to challenge listeners to think about the balance between material wealth and true happiness, emphasizing that the possession of things often leads to a scarcity mindset, while open hands and generosity can lead to a deeper fulfillment. The speaker touches on the universal pursuit of happiness and the need for faith to lead us into a more open, exploratory, and generous life. Through powerful personal stories and scriptural teachings, listeners are encouraged to reflect on whether they are living with open minds, open hands, and open hearts, ready to embrace life and all the surprises it brings. The episode ends with an invitation to step into a life of faith, surrendering to the openness that leads to ultimate joy and purpose.

In this series from the archives we dive into the first installment of Life in Color, a series where we explore the deeper shades of life, happiness, and what it means to live fully. Each episode features a new color that represents a fresh theme, connecting the hues of our world to the vibrant pursuit of happiness. Pastor Erwin reflects on spirituality, human emotions, and personal stories, this series takes a deep dive into how happiness can shape our lives, even in a world filled with complexity and challenges. Tune in weekly for thought-provoking discussions that will inspire you to see life in every shade it offers.

Every single week, we send a new message across the world. He says Mosaic has incredible people who give generously and sacrificially to make this possible. He wants you to become a part of our support system. Allow Jesus to speak to you in a way that will change your life. In all of human history, there has never been a place where God was not at work. The question is not, is God working, but are you working with God? All God wants from you is, I am willing. In this moment, there was a simple invitation to everyone who was willing to come. Our dream was that mosaic would be the community that would commit itself to reaching the outlier. I'd like to propose that we spend the next ten years creating communities, not just in LA and in London. When God moves in history, there is an overflow of talent. We have to destroy the idea that if it's for God, all that matters is how sincere you are rather than how committed you are. You must become the best version of you. Be the measure of your life.

You cannot live life without faith. What drives faith is that we're all looking to make sense of life. The more meaningless your life is, the more empty you will be of life, he says. Hope remains not just faith, but hope. Hope only exists in the future. The moment you get something you hope for, guess what? It's no longer a source of hope. Human beings are designed with a need for progress. Hope is not optional. It's essential. The moment you feel depressed, go, oh, my soul is telling me my life can be more. Only humans feel the depression of being less than they can see in their imagination. Everything God does is always expanding. You are designed to keep growing every moment of your life. When you love someone, you lose your mind. The best way to never put yourself in danger is to never love just before yourself. Love realigns your choices and redefines your life. Why do we even think about unconditional love? It's because our souls know we're designed for unconditional love.

In this episode, the discussion centers on the wisdom and practical life insights shared by Solomon, particularly in the context of Ecclesiastes 11. Erwin reflects on the poetic yet gritty advice Solomon offers, highlighting the importance of integrating spirituality into everyday life rather than viewing it as something detached or otherworldly. The narrative shifts to a real-life example from a visit to Nashville, where the aftermath of a flood serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change and how possessions, memories, and hopes can be lost. This experience is used to illustrate the relative scale of personal crises and the universal challenge of perspective. Solomon's wisdom, as explored in the chapter, emphasizes the value of building a life on principles of wisdom, generosity, and long-term investment. The famous verse "Cast your bread upon the waters" is unpacked, revealing its deeper meaning about investing in the future, being generous, and not clinging too tightly to what we have in the present. Erwin challenges the listener to consider how they are using their resources, whether financial, intellectual, or relational, to create a better future. The episode also touches on the importance of understanding the cause-and-effect nature of life. Solomon’s insights encourage focusing on the causes—hard work, investment, and action—rather than merely hoping for favorable effects. Erwin drives home the message that life doesn’t happen by accident, and intentional effort is crucial for success. The closing thoughts emphasize the need to stop merely talking and start doing. Erwin warns against the allure of avoiding work and instead encourages embracing it as a vital part of life’s purpose. Solomon’s final advice to "sow your seed in the morning and at evening" serves as a reminder that consistent, diligent work is key to achieving meaningful outcomes, even when the results are uncertain. This episode offers a blend of ancient wisdom and practical advice, urging listeners to actively engage with life, invest in the future, and embrace hard work as a path to fulfillment and success.

Lead Pastor Erwin McManus shared a new message from the Seven Frequencies of Communication series teaching us how to elevate our frequency of communication. He emphasized that communicating with empathy and authenticity is the key to creating transformation. Pastor Erwin pulled a powerful insight from the book of John. He showed us that Jesus always operated with empathy that dismantled the condemnation that others try to put on us. Jesus also exemplified the power of authenticity as he called out a man named Nathanael who was seeking God not for personal gain but for a genuine encounter. And when empathy is combined with authenticity, our communication becomes an unstoppable force. Are you ready to elevate your frequency? Pre-order The Seven Frequencies of Communication today and watch this message now! Pre order: https://www.thesevenfrequencies.com (https://www.thesevenfrequencies.com)

If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed. But skill will bring success. What Solomon is telling us is that wisdom actually translates itself into skill. Are you doing what you were created to do? I think a lot of us are living accidental lives. Sometimes we just end up doing whatever came to us first. The danger is that you stop being proactive in creating the future. There are a lot of things in life that are transitional. Have you ever noticed that you change the way you dress when you're in a funk? Are you doing what you're created to do? Have you chosen this path on purpose? Mariah wants to apply to fashion school. She designs a dress out of the LA Weekly. She didn't want any help. When she was done, I was actually really shocked. Even looks good.

Pastor Erwin McManus shared a transformative new message on the powerful human connection available through the seven frequencies of communication.   Speaking from Acts chapter 2, he pointed out that though we often use language to separate and divide — God is always finding ways to connect us.    Communication comes from the root word, commune. Pastor Erwin explained that we are designed to commune with God and one another.    Breaking down the seven frequencies of communication, we learned that we are uniquely designed to connect with others and bring transformation to the world around us.   Pre-order Pastor Erwin’s brand-new book now and discover your frequency of communication.   Tune into this message now!

Salomon saw the difference between knowing what to do and someone who actually made their life count. In this moment, Solomon was able to see the power of wisdom without advantage. Every person who's determined to make life count is going to face an overwhelming sense of insignificance. In a sense, we're all faking it. We're all trying to act like we know more than we know. When you strip us away, we are all naked and ashamed. To live with the name Irwin is a constant reminder that I was not born for great things. I kept wanting to change my name, but my grandfather said it was the name of someone whose life will make a difference in the world. The way you overcome a sense of insignificance is understanding the significance of each individual. There's no context too small for God to do something, something really, really big. When you enter a relationship with God, he changes you at the very core. Don't be afraid to let the circumstances of life strip you down to who you really are. Look at the power of wisdom without anything.

Solomon saw the difference between knowing what to do and someone who actually made their life count. In this moment, Solomon was able to see the power of wisdom without advantage. Every person who's determined to make life count is going to face an overwhelming sense of insignificance. In a sense, we're all faking it. We're all trying to act like we know more than we know. When you strip us away, we are all naked and ashamed. The way you overcome a sense of insignificance is understanding the significance of each individual. There's no context too small for God to do something, something really, really big. When you enter a relationship with God, he changes you at the very core. Don't be afraid to let the circumstances of life strip you down to who you really are. Look at the power of wisdom without anything.