First Methodist Traditional: Recent Episodes
First Methodist Houston
At First Methodist Houston our vision is to have an empowered, diverse faith family built on the foundation of God’s Word, sharing the transforming love of Jesus Christ throughout Houston and the world.
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Acts 17 is one of Lance’s favorite chapters in Acts, and that’s because there’s a lot going on beneath the text. Paul’s heart is grieved for the world around him. What is breaking your heart in the world around us?
The world is open to the Word of God, but who is going to teach them the resurrection if not us?
Acts 17:16-34
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Lance dives into Acts 16, where Paul and Silas are punished for having the faith to save a girl tormented by demon, and find themselves flogged and sent to prison, not that they let it get them down.
“Sometimes the only way through it is a hallelujah.” To praise even in the face of punishment and torment - that’s difficult to do. But their faith had an impact. Can ours have the same?
Acts 16:16-40
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As we look at the story of a Gentile church in crisis in Acts, Lance talks about the way political differences have divided the church in the wake of Covid.
Lance is reminded of a church he served at, and how one fateful decision sealed the direction of the church.
The choices we make drive us towards or away from relationship with our neighbors. Living in community requires choice. What is going to be the thing that holds us together in community?
Acts 15:1-35
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Lance talks about a time he ended up in Vegas and made a tentative attempt at gambling at a slot machine, which ended poorly.
But prayer, he reminds us, is not gambling. You aren’t just putting coins in a slot machine and hoping something good comes out.
And the story today, of Peter being rescued from prison in the Book of Acts, is a clear example of the power of prayer.
Acts 12:1-24
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Lance takes a look at a church in Acts that where people were coming from everywhere and all walks of life - and asks what we can do to create the same movement.
We are a missionary movement. There is still good to be done.
Are you looking at the gifts that are all around us? There are so many people here we can lift up.
God is weaving together a tapestry made out of all of us to make a beautiful church.
Acts 11:19-30
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In the book of Acts, Peter is given a vision from heaven of every type of food, letting the Jewish people that he has declared everything clean. But the picture is much bigger - Jesus was letting Peter know that everyone was invited, and everyone was invited just as they are.
Jesus asks us to invite everyone into his church. Lance challenges us to extend that invitation with an open hand.
Why do we expect people who have never sat at the feet of Jesus to act like Jesus?
Acts 10:1-48
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When Paul first began preaching in the streets, it was clear immediately that something incredible was happening. People’s lives were being transformed.
When the Holy Spirit is doing something, he calls for us to jump in and become a part of it. We can’t ask people to join something unless we’re already in it ourselves.
Are we willing to go? Are we willing to go deeper? Are we willing to go all in?
Acts 9:19-31
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Amanda tells the story of Saul being blinded, healed, and transformed to become Paul, a faithful disciple of Christ. She compares it to the Choose Your Own Adventure books she grew up with - except that in the Book of Acts, we learn that anything is possible.
In the same way that God called Paul on the road to Damascus, He calls us to lift our eyes and see the world the way He sees it.
Where is God trying to turn things upside down?
Acts 9:1-19
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This week’s scripture, the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, is one that Lance struggles with. But like the Ethiopian in the story, he doesn’t give up - he keeps wrestling with it.
The Ethiopian eunuch in this week’s scripture was excluded from Jewish life, but Philip recognized that God had called him to witness to him, because God calls us to liminal spaces.
Wouldn’t we all do well to go when and where God sends us?
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Acts 8:26-40
It’s Father’s Day, which gives Lance a chance to start off the sermon with a few dad jokes, to great appreciation from the congregation.
Lance explores a conflict within the early church, and casts that same conflict forward to today’s church.
We each have a calling from God, and it’s important for each of us to live that calling. That’s the only way the church will grow.
Acts 6:1-7
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On Father’s Day, Brant reminds something his father once told him: “conflict exists everywhere - the choice we have is how we deal with it.” Today’s Scripture is about the early church’s decision to meet conflict head-on.
To unwrap what’s happening in today’s Scripture, Brant explains the concept of “gongysmos” - which is a real Greek word and not just a growl, he insists.
Acts 6:1-7
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Lance tells the story of the apostles being dragged before the Sanhedrin, and how they rejoiced to be suffering on behalf of the Lord.
“Wherever the word of the Lord is, it brings freedom with it.”
Acts 5:12-42
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The story of Zechariah is a story of patience rewarded, of stepping out of the shadows into the light.
It is a story of deliverance.
Luke 1:57-80
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As Lance encourages us to prepare our hearts for this Advent season, his suggestions are practical, and therefore appropriately Methodist. But one theme runs through them all: that we should commit to grow in grace.
Colossians 1:9-14, 21-23, 28
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For Lance to explain justifying grace, he tells the story of the two Wesley brothers who founded Methodism, and how they came to learn the true depths of God's grace for us.
Romans 5: 1-11
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Lance introduces his audience to “koinonia,” true community in Christ - the giving of ourselves to one another that allows us to enact the power of the Holy Spirit.
“Worship isn’t the centrality of the church, small groups are.”
Lance introduces his audience to “koinonia,” true community in Christ - the giving of ourselves to one another that allows us to enact the power of the Holy Spirit. “I’m a product of small groups and Sunday School” Acts 2:42-47 fmhouston.com/one-together
In order to sharpen one another, we need to have actual conversations with flesh and blood human beings. Description:
Today’s scripture talks about the truly massive power we are offered through Christ - the power of resurrection. Paul wants us to be filled with the power that raised Jesus from the dead! But in order to sharpen one another, we need to have actual conversations with flesh and blood human beings. Ephesians 1:15-23 fmhouston.com 8:20
God is inviting us into relationship. Bring what you have and it will be enough.
In the story of the loaves and the fishes, Jesus looks at a tiny amount of food and declares it enough for a multitude. Where others see lack, God sees an abundance. If we believe that with God, there is more than enough, are we willing to have enough faith to be rooted in that promise of abundance? God is inviting us into relationship. Bring what you have and it will be enough. John 6:1-14 fmhouston.com
This sermon marks the beginning of a new series, and also the beginning of a stewardship campaign. This month - and this year - we learn how to be "one together."
That requires us to bear with each other in love, but that is the work of our life, and of the church. And that is what the world is longing for.
Ephesians:4 1-7 & 4:11-13 fmhouston.com
Lance finds the culmination of all these stories of encounters in Jesus’ meeting with Zaccheus.
Don’t underestimate the way people’s lives can be transformed at a table together.
We have walked through a number of stories throughout the “Encounters” series, but Lance sees the culmination of most of these stories in Jesus’ meeting with Zaccheus. It’s the story that shows us Jesus’s plan to seek and to save the lost. fmhouston.com
Lance talks about the anti-gravitational principle when it comes to following Christ: the one who is brought low will be lifted up.
Lance tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus, and the things that Jesus called him to. And to tell that story, he illustrates it with a very country story about fishing back home. John 3:1-17
As we explore this passage in Luke, we get to the heart of this series: a life Christ-centered is one that consistently stays focused on Him. We must take up our cross DAILY. It’s not something thrust upon us. It is a choice, every day. This is grace fully realized. Luke 9:21-27
Lance tells the story of Mark 4:35-41 - where the disciples battle a storm while Jesus sleeps in the back of the boat.
He reminds us that often we, like the disciples, end up shouting at God, "don't you care?"
But Lance has seen God's hand, in each place that his journey has taken him, and he knows that no matter where it is that he travels to, he has Jesus in the boat with him.
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Amanda steps up to the pulpit to return our focus to The Main Thing: living and loving like Jesus did.
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“Have y’all ever seen a ghost?”
Legacies can be full of joys, but they also can be full of pain and regret. We want to lock away our pain, but in doing so we bury some of ourselves.
Matthew 1:1-17
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There’s one theme that Jim’s been hitting this whole series - and on his last Sunday, he’s going to hammer it home one more time.
When we read this beatitude, we are struck by the depth of hope. What does Jesus mean?
To be a peacemaker is more than just eliminating warfare - it’s “shalom.” It’s wholeness. It’s a complete and joyous life before God.
Matthew 5:9
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"SoFISHticatied"
This special fathers day sermon begins with some awful dad jokes.
Matthew 5:8
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It's Jim Welch's last few days on the job, and before he leaves, he sits down with Ben to talk about what he's seen in his time here, what he's excited about for the church, and the changes that he hopes to see coming.
Ask us a question! You can reach us at fmhouston.com/streets.
It's Jordan's last podcast, and so she and Ben continue on to part two of their tournament, debating the best comebacks in the New Testament.
Fill out your own bracket! https://www.fmhouston.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Best-Clapbacks-In-The-Bible-NT.jpg
Ask us a question! You can reach us at fmhouston.com/streets.
Jim explores what it really means to “hunger and thirst” for righteousness, and why the words used here are so important.
The problems of the translation we read is not the accuracy of it, but the scope of it. We need to see righteousness as a much bigger thing.
Matthew 5:6
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For Jordan's last podcasts, she and Ben return to an idea that they've been wanting to do for months - having a tournament of the best clapbacks in the Bible. What's a clapback? Tune in and see.
Fill out your own bracket! https://www.fmhouston.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Best-Clapbacks-In-The-Bible-OT-copy.jpg
Ask us a question! You can reach us at fmhouston.com/streets.
As much as it’s important to not be angry at the wrong times, it’s just as important to be angry at the right times.
Jim talks about watching his nieces play sports and realizing that they are the same ages as the children of Uvalde.
Studying “blessed are the meek” means breaking down the word we translate as “meek” and seeing what it is that Jesus really meant.
Matthew 5:5
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Amanda shows us the peace that Jesus talked about - a peace that is different from the one the world offers.
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After the shooting in Uvalde, Ken and Ben ditched their podcast plans and sat down to talk about how to respond to a tragedy like this, and what a Christian's response to events like these should be.
Ask us a question anytime. You can reach us at fmhouston.com/streets.
Are you a mourner and not a moaner?
Jim preaches on “blessed are those who mourn,” which he points out is not a beatitude that anyone wants to preach on.
But, it is Jesus himself who establishes mourning as a holy attribute.
There are those who see their tears become hospitals and churches and missions. These things are motivated by deep caring about what God cares about.
There is much that is broken in the world. What are you going to do about it?
Matthew 5:4
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Answering a question about evangelism, Jim, Ben, and Jordan end up speaking about matters of physics, the beginnings of the universe, the sheep and the goats, Pascal's wager, Nietche's "God is dead," and a whole lot of other stuff we didn't expect when we hit record on this podcast.
Enjoy!
Ask us a question! You can reach us at fmhouston.com/streets.
As we dig into what the Bible says about mourning, Ken reminds us: it’s not a curated experience.
As he considers “blessed are those who mourn,” Ken tells the story of the Israelites in exile, and how God promised to comfort not just them, but to the ends of the earth.
We are called, as a church, to comfort. We have grief. We have broken pieces. But we can invite God to build something new from them.
Matthew 5:4
A reader sends in a Twitter link about a possible mistranslation of a Scripture passage, and it leads to some combatitiveness over different Biblical translations, trying to read multiple* Biblical translations, and a surprising argument over whether we should be bothering to read the Old Testament at all.
*https://twitter.com/lllogannnnn/status/1520393475790979072, though it looks like the user has moved to private.
Ask us a question! You can reach us at fmhouston.com/streets.
As he continues through the Beatitudes, Jim defines what it means to be “poor in spirit” - and the things we need to guard against.
“Poor In Spirit” is often a misunderstood phrase. Jim warns us against allowing our ego to fill up the room without our noticing.
Humility is a rare thing. Our instincts are to create our own divinity and push God out of our lives.
True humility is lifting others up. Each and every day.
Matthew 5:3
Jim is glad to be out of prison, and to be starting a new series on the Beatitudes.
He asks, “are you happy with your life?” Then he breaks it down further, teaching us about “the happiness quotient,” and the ways we find meaning in our life.
“Life is made up of wobbling and hobbling along the way.”
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On Confirmation Sunday, Amanda tells a story about a man who tried to make a pond ready for the fish - and what happens when you aren’t intentional.
It also reminds Amanda of what Timothy wrote, trying to help a church that had gone all “cattywampus,” despite being a young man whose advice they might not yet respect.
1 Timothy 4:11-17
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When Jesus came out of the tomb, he said the most important thing that could have said to Mary: he called her by name. He showed her that he knew her.
But Mary had a lesson to learn, even as she had finally found him: she had to learn how to not lose Jesus, even when he went away.
“When hope fades, we lose the ability to see what’s right in front of our face.”
John 20:1-18
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The phrase "He descended into hell" was removed from the Apostles' Creed a long time ago, and a listener wants to know the reason why.
Of course, that leads to a lot of much bigger questions about the nature of hell, the humanity of Jesus, and what answers preachers are supposed to give to tough questions.
Ask us a question! You can reach us at fmhouston.com/streets.
Jim is struggling with Murphy’s law, as everything goes wrong for him before he steps up to preach today.
Sometimes life is more than just a bit of bad luck, though. Sometimes, storms do come into our lives.
At the moment that Jesus came into the city, Jesus brought with him the perfect storm.
Luke 19:28-40
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With Palm Sunday approaching, a question comes in of whether we're celebrating the day completely wrong. Why is it a joyous celebration if we're remembering the crowds that turned on Jesus only 5 days later?
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The waves that rock the boat are going to come for us. But as Jesus said to his disciples, “let us not be afraid.”
After all, if God is for us, who can be against us?
As Holy Week approaches, Jim focuses on a steady faith. He tells the story of Jesus asleep on the boat, and how we can learn to have faith that God’s protection is with us, even in the most difficult storms.
Luke 8:22-25
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Part two of our conversation, and it turns out there's almost nothing that Jim can't talk about for hours on end, and it's a fascinating ride. We start with "what's going to be happening at the church?" and end up at "is there a true limit on the universe?" in very short order.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/streets
Our new interim pastor, Jim Welch, introduces himself to the church and dives right into the story of Elijah fleeing into the wilderness in fear.
There, God shows Elijah His awesome power - and shows him that he does not have to be afraid of what the world brings.
Likewise, Jim sees the same for our church - the need to have a chance for God to come and show us his limitless power, and to learn to trust a loving God who is watching out for us.
1 Kings 19:3-18
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“Look to the light.”
If you've been aware of what's been happening at First Methodist, you'll know: it's been a very topsy-turvy week. Here to hopefully settle some things down is interim pastor Jim Welch, who answers some questions and allows us to start getting to know him a little bit.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/streets
Waiting On God: “Waiting On Hope and Confidence” - Bishop Scott J. Jones
As he looks at the story of Elijah teaching the King to pray and wait on God, Bishop Jones considers the properties of hope.
“Hope is not optimism.” And evil is powerful in the world. Bad things happen. Sometimes the world all around us seems dark. But God is at work in our world.
I Kings 18:41-48
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Amanda, Ken, Jordan, and Ben talk about some positive sides to how their ministry has changed over the course of Covid, while admitting that they've seen the church atrophy in some ways over the past two years.
Ask us a question! We'll address it on the show. You can reach us at fmhouston.com/streets.
A listener talks about how a betrayal from a long time ago has left them unable to forgive the person who wronged them. The group talks about the difficulty of forgiveness, how to work towards reconciliation, and the things inside ourselves that keep us from moving forward.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/streets
Some of the Scripture is about finding a way to humility. Ash Wednesday we got a taste of that.
“What God may be waiting for is a faith response on our part.”
Sometimes we need to have these conversations on God’s timetable than our own.
Exodus 2:23-25; 32:1-6
A member comes from a faith tradition that doesn't allow for female clergy, so they're asking whether there should be pastors who are women or not. Jordan and Amanda talk about female preaching and leadership in the Bible, their journeys to get to where they are now, and some of the road bumps they've run into.
Oh, and if you're looking for the Instagram picture we're talking about, it's here.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/streets
Kathrin is the Executive Director of Neighbors in Action. On this special Sunday Kathrin describes how NIA strives to be like the body of Christ.
www.fmhouston.com www.neighborsinaction.com/
Andy, Ken, and Ben are divided on the nature of bad churches and whether they can still do good, which leads to Andy coming out against the Bible (not really. Or does he?), and Ken announcing that First Methodist is going to war. There are some stirring pronouncements about the spiritual character of Houston, and at the end of it all, we try and buy Andy a yacht.
Leave us a response or ask us a question! You can reach us at fmhouston.com/streets.
We need to learn to see then things inside ourselves that we need to take action about. In Corinthians, Paul shows us how.
These verses are about a church struggling and doing everything wrong. Paul writes back to help show them a way through:
The Holy Spirit is there to help us see things inside ourselves that we need to take action on, ways we need to change.
If we keep coming and praying and listening and don’t change? That’s wrong.
1 Corinthians 2:6-11
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A question about finding peace and rest gives us stories about various intentional practices, romantic dinners at Waffle House, and the time Amanda thought she was going to die at Disney World.
Ask us a question! Hit us at fmhouston.com/streets to leave a question or a comment about the show.
Amanda Sermon
Hard problems that don’t have easy answers require that we work together.
Amanda talks about a scripture she loves - Acts 2, “the church in a snow globe.” People come in and they grow and they grow, and other people see what’s happening and want to come and be a part of it.
Life inside the church can be more complicated today. We want clear, concise answers, but we live inside a life that’s a little gray.
Hard problems that don’t have easy answers require that we work together, but they lead us to great places. When we have to work together we learn to love one another.
Acts 2:38-47
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The group takes a question about why the church has embraced the Sinner's Prayer when it never appears in the Bible, leading to a brief history of revivals and the Sinner's Prayer, plus the questionable theology we keep running into, and figuring out just what our role is in bringing people to Christ.
Got a comment or a question? Visit us at fmhouston.com/streets
Andy is working on his evangelism - trying to be a person who is always on the lookout to make connections.
It’s a hard time to meet people. But people are more hungry than they’ve ever been.
God is trying to wake us up, to recreate us. We are called to love people just as He loves us.
“Ask yourself a question: Do I love my friends, my spouse, my neighbor the way that God loves me? And if not, I need to close that gap.”
2 Corinthians 3:12-18
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The gang fields a question about how John Wesley treated confession, and how the church treats it today. It turns out to be a fertile topic, featuring some wide-ranging stories from everyone's experience, and a very specific callout of a certain church nearby.
Send us a question or a comment, and help shape what the next episode of the show could be. You can reach us at fmhouston.com/streets.
Look at the flowers of the field - God will take care of them, God will take care of you.
If we trust Him with everything that we’ve got, we’re invited to another life altogether.
Jesus invited Peter to get out the boat and join him. How do we get out of the boat, too?
Matthew 6:28-34
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This week, the group has a question to wrestle with, as they explain what Jesus was doing when he changed the use of the word "blessed" in the Sermon on the Mount. Along the way, the group debates whether Jordan's opinions are going to ruin her chances of being ordained.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/streets
As Amanda looks back at the early days of the pandemic, she thinks of an example of something she learned from the a visit to the San Jacinto Monument:
Look out not just for the big moments, but the smaller ones.
John 14:15-20
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As we get back to basics, Andy focuses on what he finds most crucial: love of God and love of neighbor. It helps us to do the right thing, which is not always easy to know.
On the eve of MLK Jr. Day, Andy reads from Charles Allen’s autobiography, as he came to terms with the racism he encountered in every day life, and the ways he needed to grow to be able to fight it.
We are still a church that fights. And we have many battles left in front of us. John 3:13-17
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With cases on the rise, the group heads back to recording remotely. It's the first time for our newest hosts, and it takes some getting used to. Meanwhile, Andy locks himself out of his apartment.
Ask us a question! Since the season began, we have yet to get a single new question. Help us fix that.
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The spark for Andy’s sermon today came from a book by Charles Allen, one of First Methodist’s most famous voices. And in the opening pages of the text, Andy finds himself brought back to the basics of our faith.
Genesis 1:1-5
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The podcast starts off with Ken finally revealing what, exactly, took place at the Coneby Christmas Barn, before the group talks about the ways that 2021 surprised them, changed them, and made them look at the world differently.
We are taking your questions! Visit us at fmhouston.com/ama for more episodes and to send us a question or a topic you'd like to hear more about.
With Christmas upon us, the group talks about what things they do to find the Christmas spirit each year, and what traditions their families have kept to make Christmas Eve feel like an actual celebration of the birth of Christ. What they mostly find is that everybody has some pretty weird traditions in their family.
Ask us a question! We're still taking questions at fmhouston.com/ama, and we'll get to your questions in the new year.
Andy discusses a passage where God sends us out to bring peace to the world - something that's important because, as he notes, “We’re not very good at creating our own peace.” And a lesson he learned from a 91-year-old friend about how God gets him out of bed in the morning.
Micah 5:3-5a
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The group talks about how to get your family into the correct Christmas spirit, and accidentally spoils the secret that Santa isn't real (beware of listening with your kids around!). As a result, we get some unorthodox Christmas traditions, and the story of the time Ken successfully caught Santa Claus.
We're still looking for your questions! Send us a question at fmhouston.com/ama and we'll include it in the show.
We're back! After a long pause and some retooling, the podcast has returned, with a new vision and title that's easier to find on web searches. "Ask Me Anything" is now "You Can Hear Us In The Streets" (for reasons explained in the podcast), and we use our first episode to introduce one of our new cohosts, Jordan Czichos, and talk about how to prepare your heart for Christmas during a difficult Advent.
We're still looking for your questions! Send us a question at fmhouston.com/ama and we'll include it in the show.
The words of the prophets are often unpopular. But they help us get back on course.
“Wherever we’ve been off course, we can get back on," Andy says. “At the end, you and I have to make a decision to love, to hope.”
There’s always a way for us to respond.
Luke 1:41-45
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The light of God is powerful. Who is God calling you to seek out and be the light for?
Luke 1:76-79
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Today’s scripture is a common Advent passage - a passage about a time when God called Israel to follow the path he laid out for them.
That path is still before us. Andy asks us to take it.
“Put aside the things that divide us, and take a good look at the road Jesus has for us.”
Isaiah 40:3-5
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Amanda grew up with an open table - Thanksgiving was a time for all people, no matter how tangentially connected, to have a place.
It reminds her of the covenant God invited us to: to love each other as ourselves, and invite them to the table.
2 Samuel 1:9-10
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Andy discusses the importance of making an invitation to others by pointing out the way Jesus did just that: he ate with every kind of person. His table was always open.
What’s a way that you could do the same?
Luke 22:7-20
Does anyone really believe we can have world peace?
Kristen sums up our Missions series by exploring the many meanings of the word “shalom” in our world, and showing us what true peace on earth would really look like.
Isaiah 9:6
When William Shatner went to space, it left Andy thinking about what it’s like to get a true overview of the world, and what God is doing in it.
Those things need action behind them. Andy talks about the ways God is calling us to take His hand and walk forward with Him in faith.
John 17:20-23
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As we kick off this year’s missions series, Amanda emphasizes God’s requirement for us to take action in order to bring justice to the world. We are to invite the world in to experience what we are experiencing, to discover grace and mercy.
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As we spend one more week closely looking at the Lord’s Prayer, Jordan talks about the way the prayer continues to look different to us each time we look at it.
Prayer is an act of faith, but it is also work - good, faithful work.
God needs us to be Kingdom-bringers. And the holiest work we can do is ask for God to bring His Kingdom down.
On a recent trip to a prayer labyrinth, Amanda couldn’t find the answers she was looking for. And so she had to surrender and hand everything over to God - and God met her there.
When Amanda looks at the Lord’s Prayer, she is reminded of the how we often ask God to sprinkle blessings on top of what we’re doing, instead of seeking God’s kingdom.
The greatest thing we can do to access the divine in our lives is pray.
At the start of A Year of Prayer and Discernment, Andy focuses on what an incredible gift prayer is. We have a God who created us who wants to both hear us and speak to us.
“Just beyond what we can see and know is a God who wants to move in us.”
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1 Peter 4:12-17
Jordan looks at 1 Peter 4 and is reminded of "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." Why? Because, as she point out, "the world is just icky sometimes."
But Peter reminds us why we are called by God to form relationships - so that we can struggle through these things together.
No matter what the pain you go through, don't go it alone.
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1 Peter 3:8-12
In Chapter 3, Peter echoes the lessons of the Sermon on the Mount to remind us of how Jesus Christ talked about living a life of forgiveness rather than retribution.
Andy wants us to find ways to be a peacemaker. “Our days can’t be filled with conflict. We have to move on.”
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This week, Andy dives into chapter 2 of 1st Peter. He points out that our church is a diverse church - in the same way, the book of 1 Peter is the sort of story written to a diverse collection of churches. What Peter is writing about needs to be a model for us.
“Each of us needs to be loved, each of us needs to be forgiven, and the church needs to be a place where we celebrate these things.”
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This week, Amanda Davis covers 1 Peter 1:13-16
Where did you see God at work today?
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Micah 6:7-8
Andy remembers a story of a woman who came into a church he worked at in need of food, and how the church responded - and whether their actions were truly just.
“The church has to be a safe place to have a dangerous conversation.”
When Andy gives, he realizes that the relationships he’s formed matter. Giving and relationship are intertwined. Whenever we make the decision to give and invest, we see God move in every other area of our lives.
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For Amanda's first sermon, she dives into the importance of service, and what a life lived with that purpose looks like.
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As we talk about loving others as we love ourselves, we have a lot of things to overcome - mostly, ourselves.
Paul viewed himself fully as a servant of Jesus Christ - to him, that was his identity. If we did the same, we could avoid falling into all sorts of traps.
COVID has separated us from people and from having a mission. Andy talks about finding a way back.
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In Jordan's first sermon at our church, she dives into the parable of the talents, and what happens when you fail to live out the mission that God has given you.
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Keeping the Sabbath holy is a physical and specific act - we have to go out of our way to set it aside in order to worship the Lord.
As we enter a new series about the tenets that make up our church, Andy lays out three ways to make the most of your Sabbath.
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Andy points out that Elijah is much harsher to the prophets of Baal than we like to admit - the things Elijah said are so alarming that scholars later dialed it down, thinking surely Elijah could not have said something like this. But Elijah knew that God was with him.
Plus, Andy returns to baseball metaphors - twice! - because the Astros won 11 in a row. And, of course, he jinxes them immediately.
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Some of us are uncomfortable with the word “prophet.” But prophets are not people who have power, but people who rely on the message of God. We need to be able to rely on that message the same way.
Our call is to be a place of refuge from the brokenness of this world. God has given us gifts to share in community together. Because it is not a place that is the presence of God, it is in a community together in which we see God.
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The pandemic has taken a lot of things from us, and one of those things has been the ability to gather together and worship.
The story we listen to today shows how Solomon built a tangible place for God to be worshiped - but though that temple was grand, it was, like everything else, temporary. In the same way, we must use the symbols around us to point us to God - and not to make them too important as they are.
Andy shows us how to hold on to what we’ve inherited from the past, but also see the new thing that God is calling us to do.
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For his sermon, Andy needed an example of crossing lines - and on Sunday morning, he got one.
As the world begins to open up; Andy finds himself incredibly excited for this moment. We have stepped into a new blessing.
It is a time to lead. And Andy wants to help you make it happen.
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As we exit the pandemic, there are many of us who are ready just to forget what happened and move on. But this is a powerful moment we should not let pass by: how do we step forward well and allow God to take the lead?
In Joshua, the people of Israel are leaving the wilderness and entering a new land. As God pulled back the waters of the Jordan to allow them to cross, Joshua had the people get stones to build an altar to remember that crossing. Joshua is calling on them, in that moment of transition, to rely on God’s power, on God’s faithfulness.
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Jesus takes a passage in Deuteronomy and flips it in a new way, so that it teaches us how to follow him - that we need to love God, and love our neighbor.
But there’s one more step we need to do.
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Andy’s determined not to keep telling stories about baseball now that the Astros have started losing, but he’ll tell one more. And that’s of a player whose gifts were considered unworthy.
When Paul is writing to the Corinthian church, he’s writing to a church that is allowing spiritual gifts to rip them apart. It was his challenge to teach them that each of these gifts were equally worthy.
What are you good at? Where do you see your gifts? And are you putting those gifts into service?
If you’d like to take a spiritual gifts assessment to learn more about where God has gifted you, you can find one online at fmhouston.com/sunday this week.
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It is Donyale’s last podcast, and the group talks about the year of ministry that followed George Floyd’s death – the way their approach to ministry changed, and the need to be a church calling for justice. It’s a reconsideration of faith in politics, and call for faith in politics.
The Ask Me Anything Podcast will be on a brief hiatus, but will return with new co-hosts later this summer! In the meantime, send us new questions at fmhouston.com/ama.
On Confirmation Sunday, Andy wonders what the church will look like in 60, 70 years. Does it invest in mercy and love and kindness? Because that’s what the church should be.
Andy has learned a lot about baseball during the Pandemic, and he’s found a metaphor in some of the changes the game has made.
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Ken gets glasses to deal with eye strain and, as glasses do, they give him a little clarity.
When Paul writes the Book of Romans, he's writing about the clarity he’s found.
Paul is all about the Spirit. He believed that the central pursuit of the Christian life was living from the Spirit of God. Just knowing the law is not enough, we must commune with God.
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On a very loose podcast, the group tries to answer what to do when you feel you need your faith back, and how you're doing better than you think you are.
This podcast sounds undedited, but trust me, it is very edited.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
The Gospel of John, from its opening chapter, challenges us. Rather than begin with the story of the Nativity, it first rewrites Genesis from a Jesus-centric point of view.
John tells us to listen, to hear, that God is speaking to us. This should not strike us as unusual, since God has been in the speaking business for a long time. And if we just want to hear ourselves speak, we miss out our chance to hear God speak.
Plus, a trick for making sure you always hear what others have to say.
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A follow-up question about the New Jim Crow podcast series asks if the conversation about black imprisonment is perhaps too one-sided. The group… does not agree!
Ask us a question! Fmhouston.com/ama.
Chapter Five brings us to a fitting bookend for our series, as the whole book has called us to a life of action. The verses remind Donyale of a Twitter hashtag: #nomorethoughtsandprayers - a call to people to bring about concrete action, not vague feelings.
James was also bringing a similar mindset against those who said “go in peace,” yet did nothing to stop the problems of the day. But James also calls on those same people to pray - in fact, call the community together to pray, underscoring it is our collective responsibility to care and alleviate suffering.
When we pray, we are responding to God’s urging. We are responding to God’s invitation to get a glimpse of God’s understanding of others and the world.
We can understand the hashtag, but let us not give up our prayers.
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As we wrap up our discussion on Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow” with Trinity United Methodist Church, Kenneth Jackson returns to the conversation to address the problems of trying to address a system built to consistently, repetitively keep people down. It leads to a discussion about what the church – and what we, as individuals – are required to do by our love of Jesus and willingness to follow his direction.
The discussion will continue in the coming weeks, depending on what you ask us about! Reach out to us with a question: fmhouston.com/ama.
A strange experience on Houston light rail reminded Andy how we need to show grace and love in this time of recovery. “This is a great time for the church to be a pastor to one another."
We are mist, James says. So why do our actions matter? Because time IS short. We need to make the most of these moments. “Yes you are mist. But you’re here now. And that MATTERS.”
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In the middle chapters of “The New Jim Crow,” Michelle Alexander breaks down racism baked into the justice system, and the group talks about being raised with different expectations, and passing those lessons along to their children. Plus, the exhaustion that comes with constantly being teachers, but the responsibilities we have to educate the people that we talk to.
Got a question or a response? Reach us at fmhouston.com/ama!
Andy’s mom warned him early that his tongue could get him into a lot of trouble - and boy, has it.
The third chapter has a very profound idea about how small things can take us drastic directions. A person who proclaims the gospel is someone who must have their words under control.
The way we can bring heaven upon this earth can be just as simple as paying attention to the words that we are saying.
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On our first podcast discussing “The New Jim Crow,” Andy and Donyale are joined by Trinity United Methodist’s Deirdre Barrett. The group discusses what stands out in the early chapters of Michelle Alexander’s book, including her statement that “colorblindness is not the answer, it’s the problem.”
The discussion fans out into the call each member felt like the book put on them, including learning to find beauty in diversity without being threatened by it, and trying to find an equal amount of justice and forgiveness.
The discussion will continue for two more weeks! Got a question? Visit us at fmhouston.com/ama.
While studying the life of Ernest Hemingway via the new Ken Burns documentary, Andy is inspired about the importance of action, and urges the congregation to concentrate on positive, God-honoring actions and see where that leads them.
"In our actions, in what we’re doing... let’s see what God can do."
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A pretty straightforward question leads to a surprisingly fun and revealing conversation as the group each talks about their favorite sections of the Bible.
Got a question? Ask us at fmhouston.com/ama!
Andy digs into the first chapter of James as we start our walk through the book.
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The group considers the people God chose to destroy in the story of Noah’s ark, and point out the flaws inherent in comparing ourselves to people in the past, both for good and for bad.
Ask us a question! Fmhouston.com/ama
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It has been a very hard year, and there has been much to be afraid of. But we cannot let fear, death, and oppression write our story. It's on us to write another one.
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During a very tough recording session, the group fights through to talk about metaphor and reality in the Bible, how to approach the gospels, and dealing with matters of faith and the heart.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
Genesis 15:9-12; 17-18 Andy explores the passage where Abram makes a covenant with God.
We may wander, we may sin, but God always brings us home. No matter how far we may stray, our Lord embraces us when we repent and return to Him.
Where do you spiritually feel at home? It's not the structure that brings significance, but the realization of the holiness and goodness of the Lord.
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Today’s question covers a wide span – starting with John Wesley’s abolitionist stance, to the division of the United Methodist church in the run up to the Civil War, to its history within Houston and the Civil Rights movement. Plus, a long look at the ways Scripture has been used to maintain white supremacy in America, and an acknowledgement that this conversation can only be had when we recognize our failures – and learn from them.
Books referenced in today’s show:
Jamar Tisby, “The Color of Compromise” (https://www.amazon.com/Color-Compromise-American-Churchs-Complicity-ebook/dp/B07BB6R827)
M. Shawn Copeland, “Enfleshing Freedom” (https://www.amazon.com/Enfleshing-Freedom-Intersections-Innovations-Religious/dp/0800662741/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CPT8VEKJP48J&dchild=1&keywords=enfleshing+freedom&qid=1616532938&sprefix=enflesh%2Cdigital-text%2C206&sr=8-1)
Our podcast with Trinity UMC regarding “The New Jim Crow” begins next month! Ask us a question: fmhouston.com/ama
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Joshua 22
During the pandemic, we’ve learned something we should have learned long ago: how to as a church to be a church united with the churches around us.
It doesn’t matter who we are, it doesn’t matter where we come from. The Lord is the Lord of all. We celebrate that through the altars we build.
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Genesis 12:11-19
Encountering the living God is awe-inspiring, and it’s something we don’t want to miss.
The question is: “do we expect God in expected places?” When we come together for worship or Bible study, are we expecting to encounter God?
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Andy, Ken, and Ben debate whether the church has a role in talking about personal health, what our role is when your actions affect the health of the whole community, and how best to talk to friends and family about the vaccine.
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Ask us a question! Fmhouston.com/ama
The direction of the gospel always moves forward. God wants us to see not only the direction our faith goes, but the impact it can have.
As this pandemic ends, who is the person that God is calling you to reach?
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A questioner wants to know how you’re supposed to treat other people with compassion when it’s difficult for you to treat yourself the same way.
The gang talks about mental health, how God’s goodness affects how you interact with the world, and get honest about some of their own struggles.
——
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
Learning to not lean on his own understanding is not something that comes easy to Andy.
Andy is trying to become more fluent in the conversation about race around this country. It’s something that’s not come easy to him. And it’s shown him the ways that his own understanding is just such a small drop in a bucket.
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A member who remembers growing up with separate schools and water fountains wonders about how long the process will take before full racial healing is reached. The group talks about the process of doing work on yourself, what it means to try and become someone who brings about change, and how we need to pass things on to the next generation after us.
A new podcast series on “The New Jim Crow” is coming soon! Send in your questions at fmhouston.com/ama.
In the midst of a difficult week, Andy finds hope. God has a plan, even though we may not. Crisis can be beautiful and humbling.
In moments of need, lean on scripture and faith. HE will make your path straight.
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As we move into Lent, this week’s spiritual encourages us to “be more like Jesus in my heart.” So this Sunday, Andy looks at the heart - and encourages everyone to spend this Lenten season becoming the kind of disciple who gives Jesus the best they’ve got.
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A listener confides that the way the Bible pushes “the fear of God” terrifies them – is that supposed to be the point? The group discusses some of the roots of the term in the Bible, how Jesus fits into all this, and the way we need to be aware of people’s experience when talking about the Bible.
Ask us a question! Fmhouston.com/ama
Lent is a time where people give things up to prepare their hearts for Easter.
What if this year, you accepted the invitation? What if you participated in Lent?
All of a sudden your faith has a way to speak to you in an even greater way.
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A question asking about whether brokenness is a good thing or not takes the group all over the Bible, through Old Testament and New, as they discuss the various ways God combats brokenness in the Scriptures, and what it is that he desires for us.
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Got a question? Send it to us at fmhouston.com/ama!
Mark 13:9-13
Reading today's scripture, it points out that we need to be ready to go at any moment. Because there will be a point where you're going to have to account for the kind of person that you are, and you need to be ready for that day.
Who are we as Christians? Do we take ALL of the Christian life on? We either love God and love neighbor, or we don’t.
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The group sorts through the various ways Scripture is viewed by modern-day Christians, try to differentiate between historical events and metaphorical stories, and knock down some common misconceptions.
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Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
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This has been a tough year financially for our congregation, for the people of our city, and for our church.
But looking forward, how is the Holy Spirit going to move in the next year? How is he going to change us.
Because that's what the Holy Spirit does - he makes us into more complete and sacred people.
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A listener asks a question that came up in their small group - how do you actually pray for your enemies? It seems awfully difficult. And how do you know what to say?
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
On MLK weekend, Andy considers Dr. King's legacy, and encourages listeners to go an listen to MLK's "I Have A Dream" speech. (We've made the speech available at fmhouston.com/mlk if you'd like to do so)
He also talks about the transition we are going through - as a nation, as a people, and as a church - and reminds us of where our values should always be.
“If we hold on to the future, the present, and the past, and do each equally well, I believe the Lord will bless us. I am excited to see what the Lord does.”
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The group discusses what led them to become pastors, and why they abandoned other avenues to head towards ministry. Plus, is it ever too old to enter full-time ministry?
Then, at the group's urging, Ben shares his journey into the world of church media.
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When God spoke aloud after Jesus was baptized, he wasn't speaking just to His Son - he was speaking to the world, so that they could understand that God had come to live among them.
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A follow up to one of our earlier episodes – Episode 96: “Why Are Young People Leaving The Church?” – an actual young person writes about how relationships helped them maintain their connection to the church, and he finds that to be the magical elixir for other young people who get connected to churches. So what does the group think?
There’s conversation about how to be a person who listens to questions, how to handle questions you don’t know the answers to, and how the long history of the church can help you out of a tough situation even if you don’t know much about it.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
When Moses was trapped by the Red Sea, he had only to lift his hand, and God did the rest.
Can we learn to be hand-raisers, too?
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As we begin to explore moments of change in the Bible, we start way back in Exodus, with Moses trapped by the Red Sea.
In Moses’ moment of crisis, it is there where he discovers his faith.
When Moses steps into the water and obeys the orders that God has given him, he realizes that God has provided a way. When we find ourselves in the same spot, when we step forward in faith, God provides.
If we learn anything from this 2020 experience, learn that God is always with us.
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Whenever she's on the road at a hotel, Donyale always makes sure to have the front desk give her a wakeup call. Because as not a morning person, it is difficult for her to arise - never mind to arise and shine.
But the prophet Isaiah has given us a call to action. We have a divine summons to be active in the restoration of God’s kingdom. We are to be walking lamp stands, reflecting the glory of heaven.
"We may, too, have to answer that call in times of darkness. But, friends, we have the confidence that the light within us cannot be overtaken by even the deepest, densest darkness”
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At the end of a terrifically difficult year, Andy thinks of the people in his life who have made a difference in the world, the people who’ve been the Holy Spirit in action. People who went an extra mile to do the right thing, the things that meant so much to the people who received those acts of love.
As he thinks about the story of Christmas, it is people like that who make him see the same love of God that came down all those years ago alive in the world today.
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Marty is worried that we know the Christmas story so well we've forgotten just how big this story really is.
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Andy shares Biblical parallels between the story of Christ’s birth and a story from the Old Testament - and the story of his eventual death.
As he stresses over tough decisions, he reminds us that all that matter is "is Jesus who he says he is?"
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For their last show of 2020, the group looks back on the lessons they learned, the things that they missed the most, and the things they've discovered how to appreciate.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
Someone who thought Christmas would be easier without all the busyness is discovering that this is a much tougher season than they expected. Andy, Marty, and Ben talk about why so many people find Christmas to be hard, how to handle this year's particular difficulties, and the way loss affects the Christmas season.
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Andy tells the story of the “LEON” Christmas tradition that his family celebrates every year.
He explains how we need to allow room for God to come in and change where we’re going. Mary doesn’t hold to one thing, she allows God to turn her life in an entirely new direction. And that’s what gives us this Christmas story.
“Sometimes we get in ruts… we get established, we get focused. And if we take that too far, we shut ourselves off from what we need.”
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A question about whether traditional worship’s days are numbered brings out four strong opinions on the nature of worship, experiencing God in all contexts, and how we ignore church history at our own peril.
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Isaiah 9:2 & 6
It's Marty's first sermon with us, and he launches us into Advent by talking about the difficulties of walking in the darkness (especially this year) and the everlasting hope that came to us in the Light of the World.
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Isaiah 64: 1-9
Donyale begins our Advent season by reminding us what it means to be clay in the Potter's hands.
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Andy tells the story of Jesus passing by a funeral, and moved by their grief, he raises the son from the dead. As we confront the difficulty of facing a holiday season without the ones we love, he shows us how we, likewise, can reach into difficult situations and turn them into something better.
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This commonly-asked question is quickly flipped on its head, as Ken questions the motivations of the people who most frequently ask it. Soon, it becomes a conversation about the way we cling to the church that we already have instead of becoming the new church that we need to be.
Also, Andy is very excited to be “the 24th most influential United Methodist podcast.” Here’s the link so you can see what he’s talking about: https://blog.feedspot.com/methodist_church_podcasts/“
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After another tragic loss of one of Houston's police officers, Andy talks about grief and pain, and what having a house "built on the rock" really means.
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The group talks about the way action creates feeling, the various times Jesus addressed this very thing throughout his ministry, and how to know if you’re asking good questions or just beating yourself up.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
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As we look into grief, Andy looks at the story of Job and the trauma he experiences as a guide for how we should be dealing with the trauma of our current lives. Andy asks the listeners to dig into their grief and to not deny it, acknowledging that it is there and needs to be dealt with.
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For Marty's first podcast, Ben decides to throw him in the deep end and asks a listener question he hadn't been allowed to ask before: why does the Church struggle to talk about sexuality?
It leads to a surprisingly emotional conversation about the responsibility of a pastor when they stand on a stage, preaching vs. dialogue, and how to handle the reality of abuse and pain among the people you're trying to talk to.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
Today's question concerns if we are making Jesus "relatable" enough - is he too separate from us, and from our lives? Are we failing the young people we teach? Is that why young people leave the church?
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
We begin a series focusing on what we've lost and how to mourn it together. In totaling up our grief, Andy points up that the damage done to us may be greater than we imagine.
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On Brandi's last week in the office, she sat down with Andy and Ben to answer some final, rapid-fire questions - the things she's most proud of, the things she's most disappointed to leave behind, and as many things as we could suprise her with as possible.
Ask us a question! fmhouston.com/ama
Luke 5:27-32
Jesus sits down to eat with a crowd of tax collectors and sinners, and the Pharisees aren’t happy about it.
But Andy points out the way that they - and us - miss the need to be living a life of constant forgiveness. When we forgive and accept people, joy starts breaking out.
Take a look around you and see if that sort of party is breaking out - and if not, start one.
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With Brandi on her way to becoming a head pastor of a nearby church, the group answers the question of whether head pastor is actually a role women are supposed to move into, or is that against what the Bible says?
Brandi has stories, Bible passages, and books to recommend. Even when she’s not ready for the question... she’s ready for the question.
Ask Brandi a question before it’s too late! Fmhouston.com/ama
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Andy talks about transformation - inviting you to think back to the person that you were, and then to the person you are today, and realize how much you've changed.
We want to leave a legacy: a legacy of faith, a legacy of trust, but that only happens when we share what we know.
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On one of our last few podcasts with Brandi (this is your last chance to send in questions you’d like to hear Brandi answer, so please send those in!), the group takes on how involved Jesus was in government, how much they think he’d be involved today, and what a Jesus-like approach to politics would look like.
Send in your question! FMHouston.com/AMA
John 4:39-42 “When Jesus looks at the Samaritan woman, he doesn’t see a Samaritan woman. He sees a daughter of God.” fmhouston.com/ama
This week the group take on a question dealing with loss of faith in a relationship. They take a look at what causes people to walk away from God and how to both parties can navigate through their wilderness. Questions? Contact us at fmhouston.com/AMA
Acts 13:47
Andy talks about how the disciples saw Jesus appear to them, resurrected, and how they were completely changed - and how we are in daily need of that “resurrection power.”
We all have those moments where we’ve had doubt and fear, and let them take over. But our God is a God who is always fighting for what is good. And when we embrace those things, the darkness fades away.
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Luke 18:9-14
Andy changes is wearing a Hawaiian shirt at the beginning of this (this is surprisingly important to understand at the beginning of this sermon in an audio format). It’s part of his explanation of the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and how little appearances matter to God.
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During such uncertain times, should we be saving our money or sharing our abundance with others who are struggling to keep their heads above water? The group discusses battling the fear or generosity and the emotional side of giving.
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Luke 14:12-14
Andy talks about the importance of having a sabbath day, and what Biblical generosity looks like.
When we give to people who cannot give back to us, there is still a blessing - we see the world in a different way. We see the world in the same way that God sees us.
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It’s Ben’s birthday! He lays out the definition of cancel culture and opens the floor for the table to discuss it’s place in not only the modern world but also in christian living.
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Persevering through technical difficulties, Andy, Ken, and Ben answer a piggybacked question for our last podcast about colonization. A questioner asks whether we've screwed everything up by showing Jesus as a white man, and what level of personal interpretation we should bring to the Bible.
Ask a question! FMHouston.com/AMA
Luke 4:14-21
Brandi talks about what it meant when Jesus came from Nazareth - what a small town it was to come from. People expected Jesus to put Nazareth on the map, and they became frustrated when Jesus failed to meet their expectations by not giving them a double portion of what he was giving to everyone else.
“Jesus doesn’t go elsewhere because he is rejected. He is rejected because he goes elsewhere.” People want to keep Jesus for themselves.
The church has been looking back, hoping to be what we were. We have sometimes let “today” slip into “yesterday” or “tomorrow.” But God wants us to be about His Kingdom TODAY.
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The group takes a close look at the history of evangelism and its lasting impact on native cultures. They strip down the misconceived notions of missionaries as well as the responsibility we bear to be part of the solution to a larger issue.
fmhouston.com/ama
1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 12-14, 27
Andy talks about the Corinthian church, and the terrible choices they were making. There’s much we don’t have in common with the Corinthians - but the things that we do, we need to look at very closely.
Paul had a vision of what the church could be. That vision can still be true for us.
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A listener dealing with the loss of loved ones asks for some guidance on intercessory prayer. The group share their insight dealing with death and filtering through the awkwardness of praying for the dead.
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1 Timothy 4:12
The scripture today talks about what it was like when Paul left and a young person like Timothy came to take up the mantle. Andy talks about how important that message is today:
“This idea of setting the example for the younger generation is enormous.” It’s not just about our discipleship - it’s about all of our discipleship.
Also, Andy learns how to pack.
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Anthony Rogers, Yesly Antu and Deborah Nixon join the conversation to tackle the issue of racism within by Latinx against the black community. They dive into the toxic stereotypes streaming from the history of Hispanic and Latin countries, and the repercussions of comparing oppression. Also, how to combat issues that come from an us vs. them feeling, and the power in learning from each other's stories.
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Deuteronomy 4:9
When Andy's children were young, they had him read the same stories over and over. He got tired of it, but he kept at it, each and every time. Why do we spend so much time telling our kids stories? It’s because we want their lives to be shaped by more than stories.
Christianity becomes powerful when we both see the structure - and the story behind it.
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The table discusses ways of reading spiritual text. Ben starts us off by diving into Ignatius of Loyola and the examen practiced by the Jesuits.
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Matthew 18:3
Andy just turned 51 this week (or, as Deborah says, 612 months), and it's made him long for the days of his childhood - playing baseball in his yard and buying pizza and baseball cards with his friends.
As Andy tells the story of the moneylender who forgave debts (Luke 7:40-43), and asks how we need to see the world in order to be living the way Jesus wants us to.
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As we continue to settle into the new normal, a questioner wonders how it’ll shape the Church. The table discuss stripping our church norms and embracing simplicity. As well as the new ways online church is changing how we practice discipleship.
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Matthew 5:9
The long stretch of the quarantine has left Andy with a longing for the pieces of home... his mother's chocolate cream pie, the sounds of baseball, the things we have been confined from. Months of separation have made him see the world with different eyes.
As Jesus sits on the mountainside to speak a new and powerful word, and the word is a reinterpretation of the Ten Commandments - a directive to see the world with different eyes. Andy asks if we are using this time to see the world the same way.
fmhouston.com
The group explore how they’ve handled difficult but necessary conversations. Donyale reminds us that sometimes the road to peace means disrupting the “peace”.
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Matthew 5:6
Andy uses props to tell us about how to quench our thirst (don’t worry, you’ll be able to guess what they are), and tells us to engage in those things that Jesus did.
During a crisis, the way we used to see the world gets stripped away from us. Crises show us the way to go.
Our vision has elevated. Bigger things are being put in front of us. We need to rise to meet those things.
fmhouston.com
Tension remains on high consequently fueling the growth of keyboard warriors. A questioner who’s noticed christian friends on opposite sides of the spectrum asks what it looks like to be followers of Jesus online. Donyale shares some words to defuse online courage.
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Today's sermon is a conversation between Brandi and Donyale - a conversation about the Beatitudes, about justice, about how protesting is a form of mourning, about how these are hard conversations that need to be had.
Matthew 5:4 - "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
fmhouston.com
Anthony joins the table as Ben hosts this weeks episode. A questioner reaches out to get clarity on what separates hope and prayer. The table discusses their practiceses talking with God and explore the limits of hope.
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A teacher with an unfairly merciful grading system teaches Andy something about grace, as he explores how the Beatitudes lift up the people least likely to be lifted up by the world.
fmhouston.com
The group look at the different ways we service and give but also what it means to be humbled by receiving.
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Andy talks about the story of Paul and Silas remaining in their cells when the prison crashed open - and the power to change things when you set about it the way God wants you to.
fmhouston.com
In death are we healed of our illnesses or does it come with us? The table shares their insight and hope for those struggling with mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health contact your mental health professional or other qualified health provider.
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Acts 2:9-16
Peter has a vision of all of the animals coming towards him on a sheet, and Andy explains the meaning of the passage in narrow terms, and then in broad ones. God is talking about more than food - he was asking Peter to open up to all the world.
fmhouston.com
Ben waits to surprises the group with today’s question - was it racist of God to single out the Israelites? The table discusses what Scripture tells us about why He chose the Hebrew people. Andy uses a food metaphor that has everybody questioning what kind of food they are.
fmhouston.com/ama
Andy looks at the conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus, and talks about the way his own sight was changed at George Floyd's funeral this week.
fmhouston.com
On today’s episode, the group takes an opportunity to have a conversation about the events happening in Houston. Donyale and Andy share their experience at George Floyd’s funeral. They reflect on the impact of these events and what it means for us as a nation.
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Acts 8:26-40
Andy tells the story of Philip and the eunuch, and sees echoes of the same lessons in the hubbub of current events.
fmhouston.com
The group take a moment to reflect on their experiences at the downtown march for George Floyd. Bloomed from our Ahmaud Arbery episode, today’s question searches for specific guidance on what the church can do to combat evil and what we as individuals can do.
Below is more information on the book recommendations mentioned in this podcast.
-Divided By Faith, by Michael Emerson -Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson -The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander -Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman -How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi -The Post-Racial Negro Green Book by Jan Miles -So you want to talk about race by Ijeoma Oluo
Books for Kids: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor White Flour by David LaMotte Monster by Walter Dean Myers
The UMC is already helping us talk to our kids. These are books that lift up the sacred worth of every human, no matter their gender, race, ability level, or sexual orientation. https://www.umcjustice.org/sacred-worth-books?fbclid=IwAR20VyKJ3ILh21SXuf5WE_RiboNC6M6LKcMoo0BdxqDtMSrOIMF2TH20ETM
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On Pentecost Sunday, as cities across America are filled with marchers and protestors, Andy makes a call to action. "It is not acceptable to be a church hunkered down, afraid to go out and proclaim the name of Jesus."
Acts 2:1-11
fmhouston.com
A non-member asks whether the Methodist church disciplines members, and if people are required to confess their sins to a pastor or another authority. It leads to a discussion of what rules the Methodist church actually has, the importance of accountability, and how pastors work to try to be someone who stands in your corner rather than punishing you.
FMHouston.com/AMA
Andy speaks about “God in Real Time": God is taking care of you in the here and now, and God is going to take care of you in the future.
Anything the world gives to you is going to fade away, the peace God gives to us is infinite. The Holy Spirit is a gift that shows us that fear cannot prevail.
“Faith is stranger than peace, and so even though we feel the storm, the storm does not overcome us.”
John 14:25-27
fmhouston.com
Questions of racial justice, privilege and discipleship surface as the group breaksdown the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. They reflect on the heavy price payed for racial harmony, the work that still awaits and the steps the church can take to be the champions of love.
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Donyale comes to us from her kitchen table to consider why God chooses people who don't need just minor changes, but be changed utterly.
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 fmhouston.com
We’re talking about social holiness and what John Wesley meant by it. What that it looks like today and how it differs from how we interpret God defines it.
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Isaiah 65:17-25
This week, Andy got angry at a fajitas-for-one, and then at the frustrations of the pandemic. But today's passage from Isaiah shows how anger turns to joy, and how change can be change forever.
But to do that, we have to leave sins in the past.
fmhouston.com
All hands are on deck as the group dives deep into examining the consequences the precautionary actions we take to stay safe during the pandemic may have on others around the world. They find themselves wrapped in the same chaos our questioner finds themselves in.
fmhouston.com/ama
John 5:1-9
Andy discusses the story of the man who could not make it into the pool to be healed, and the importance of what exactly it was that Jesus said to him in that moment.
fmhouston.com
We welcome our first guest to the Ask Me Anything table, Bishop Scott Jones! The group pick each others brains’ on how they’re managing daily life, spouses, parenting and the “new trend” growth during this pandemic. They lean into the changes they’ve seen in how we’re worshiping due to the pandemic and the possible impact on the future of the church
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1 Peter 1:3-9
Andy confronts the strangeness of our current life from his church office, and points to 1 Peter, where the Scripture points to the value of working through the darkness as we wait for the light.
"When we get to the other side, we know that Christ is alive – and working in us."
FMHouston.com
The group tackles two similar questions regarding the book of revelations. Ben’s pastoral side really shines when discussing the misconceptions of how we read this part of the bible. Everyone shares their experiences learning about the rapture growing up and the Left Behind series.
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An advertisement for a theater company leads Donyale to reconsider Isaiah 11:1-8, and the meaning of these verses on the Branch of Jesse.
This scripture, she says, is a story of hope. God was calling those who heard it to put their trust in him alone. He still is.
“This hope is sturdy enough for you and me today.”
FMHouston.com
Today’s question puts the formula of our worship services under a microscope. The group examines what elements of a service really matters and the roles that lay and clergy people play.
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In a world and a time marked by despair, Andy chooses to focus on the message that Easter brings - one of miraculous, incredible hope.
fmhouston.com
Andy, Brandi, and Ben dissect the cons of staying busy for the sake of being busy. Moreover, the struggle to slow down our lifestyle.
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Mark 11:15-18
Andy is caught up by the moment that we are at in society, and so today's sermon starts off on a somber note before he begins to further explore the text of Jesus flipping over the moneychangers' tables, and why Jesus acted so harshly at the temple that day.
fmhouston.com
The group discuss the different ways they’re each adapting to daily life during the Covid-19 quarantine and the struggle of battling loneliness as a result of social distancing.
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Andy talks about a man born blind and how Jesus healed him, and in light of current times, how we deal with those who are in struggle. "There is pain," he says. "There is suffering. And when we let that speak to us, I think it influences the Scripture greatly."
John 9:1-7, 35-41
fmhouston.com
The group begins today’s discussion picking up our conversation from last week’s episode and touching on the priesthood of all believers. However, they decide to hijack the question and talk through how they think the current pandemic will effect how we practice being the church.
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Andy jokes his way through the troubles of quarantine, before turning to talking about having compassion for those dealing with the realities of the situation, reaching out to those around us, and grounding ourselves on the gospel of Jesus Christ.
For more info on the series, check out fmhouston.com/the-rejected
fmhouston.com
The group tackle what the rules are in taking communion during extreme times and what make separates communion from a love feast.
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Luke 5:27-32
It has been a tough week, and there's a lot of trepidation for what lies ahead. But Andy lays out the path that God has for us, the ways in which we can help our neighbors and the way we see Christ in the ways they help us. And also, a little bit of poetry from William Blake.
FMHouston.com
The group discuss what they’re each doing for lent and what they hope to gain from it.
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Luke 8:43-48
This week, Ken talks about a woman who had been rejected by society and healed by Jesus.
fmhouston.com
On today’s episode the group tackles the second part of a question they never got around to finishing earlier - should we consider other specific perspectives on the Bible? They reflect on whose interpretation of scripture we tend to acknowledge more and explore what the practice of reading scripture in different environments does to our perspective.
-
- Don't forget to send in your Lent questions!
FMHouston.com/AMA
Matthew 25:31-46
This week in the final sermon of the Dream series, Ann talks about what it means to be a sheep or a goat.
fmhouston.com
Matthew 25:31-46
This week, Andy reminds us-like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did in Memphis-that we need to focus on helping those in need on Earth before we focus on our afterlife in Heaven.
fmhouston.com
This week, Andy discusses the scriptures Dr. King references in his "I Have A Dream..." speech.
fmhouston.com
This week, Brandi talks about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a preacher and his "I Have A Dream..." speech.
fmhouston.com
The group takes a closer look at romans 12 to discuss how literal that scripture is. Ken takes the question a step further and ponders if the church falls short in “living sacrificially” for each other.
thesourcehouston.org
Matthew 5:43-48
This week, Donyale begins the sermon series following the scriptures that inspired Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
fmhouston.com
Andy and Brandi are ready to charge into today’s conversation on why there is only sixty six books in the Bible. The group finds themselves on different ends of the spectrum as they discuss what the conversation would look like if the canon was opened.
thesourcehouston.org
Andy sits down and talks with Gilad Katz, Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest United States.
Scripture: Psalm 121
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Andy talks about how the Psalms can bring about a certain peace and help put your faith into action.
Scripture: Psalm 121
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Ben pulls a question from Christmas that questions how literal Isaiah 9:6 is meant to be interpreted. The group discusses what history tells us about it and how it translates today. Ben also makes another plea for more meaty questions so send yours in!
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Exodus 36:1-5
This week, Andy talks about the differences in a person when they view life through a lens of scarcity or a lens of abundance.
fmhouston.com
Exodus 36:1-5
This week, Ann talks about how the Israelites in the days of Moses at Mount Sinai gave all they could, because they knew what it was like to be without.
fmhouston.com
The group breakdowns the assumption that people who take their own lives don’t go to heaven. David Wyman (Ben’s Dad!) and Ken Coneby join the conversation.
Today's subject deals with suicide, and mentions that suicide crisis lines now have a texting feature. If that's something you'd like to know about, you can find out more at https://www.crisistextline.org/
thesourcehouston.org
Acts 5:1-6
This week, Donyale talks about removing the mask we put on in front of others and how it is okay to show our spiritual vulnerability and growth.
fmhouston.com
Acts 5:1-6
This week, Andy talks about our reluctance when we are called to give.
fmhouston.com
Our trio discusses what they believe Paul meant in his letters in regards to women in the church.
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Acts 2:42-47
This week, Brant talks about how we are called to be generous with our time, talent, and treasure.
fmhouston.com
Acts 2:42-47
This week, Andy talks about the story of Pentecost and the importance of communication.
fmhouston.com
We have a full table this week as the group takes on what it means to be a peacemaker on a personal and global scale.
thesourcehouston.org
2 Corinthians 8:1-7
This week, Brandi talks about how giving shouldn't be a competition.
fmhouston.com
2 Corinthians 8:1-7
This week, Andy discusses religious offerings and its origin in Christianity.
fmhouston.com
The group returns for the first episode of 2020 to tackle the question everyone has been asking, what is "The Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation" proposal and what does it mean for our church?
fmhouston.com/ama
This week, Brandi talks about missing the magic and significance of Christmas by being surrounded by the wrapping paper and gifts, and even the Christmas stories themselves.
fmhouston.com
Andy talks about some of the best gifts he's ever gotten: the best pieces of advice he ever got, and the way he's let it shape him - and how he's shared it. Then he looks at the story of Christmas through the very same pattern.
fmhouston.com
Andy looks back - past the Christmas story and into the book of Isaiah, where the promises of God show the love he has for his people.
fmhouston.com
As Christmas approaches, Ann remembers the way a surprising present from her mother made her feel loved in way she'd always remember.
fmhouston.com
On the last podcast of the year Anthony Rogers stops by to join the group as they discuss the phrase “there but for the grace of God go I”. Andy may have set a new personal pun record in this episode.
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The group talking about the birth story of Jesus, and how God always moves through truly unexpected people. Then, Andy and Ben tell the story of the Christmas Eve service that almost got them both fired.
Ask us a question! Especially a Christmas one. FMHouston.com/AMA
This week, Ken talks about the brokenness of today's world and his response as a Christian.
fmhouston.com
The group discusses dealing with death and grief and the churches stance on cremation. Ben shares his experience working at a cemetery.
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This week, Brant introduces the Advent season and the new sermon series by talking about how easy it is to focus on holiday shopping instead of focusing on faith.
fmhouston.com
For the start of this year's Advent season, Andy talks about what God means when He calls Himself a jealous God.
fmhouston.com
This week, Donyale discusses how easy it is to give thanks without putting meaning behind the words, and how it is our calling to rethink our gratitude in today's society.
fmhouston.com
From transactional blessings, iPhones, Kayne West and wealth, the group doesn’t hold back when discussing the prosperity gospel. Anthony Rogers stops by to join the conversation.
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This week, Andy talks about his coffee meetings and balancing religion in different and always-changing life moments.
fmhouston.com
This week, Ken talks about the difficulty of finding a Christian balance.
fmhouston.com
The group dives into the importance of being apart of a small group and how different age groups have isolated themselves or navigated towards joining one. Emil Niz joins the conversation to share the small group opportunities available at out West campus.
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This week, Andy talks about how different you are when you are tired vs. rested.
fmhouston.com
This week, Brandi talks about the work/life balance in the form of work/rest balance. Rest is not a luxury.
fmhouston.com
Scripture mentions being good stewards of all creation but what responsibilities do Christians bare in regards to our environment? The group discusses the different challenges they face living in Houston and trying to take of our planet.
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This week, Andy talks about people who dedicate their lives to Christ and Christianity on this celebration of All Saints' Day.
fmhouston.com
This week, Brant returns after a few weeks of traveling and talks about his journeys and the people he met. One particular journey landed him spending a few days in a medium-security prison and listening to the tales of the inmates.
fmhouston.com
Out of all the ways there is to pray, does praying out loud really make your prayer more effective? The group breaks down some questionable advice given to a listener about written prayers.
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This week, Brandi discusses the importance of community and loving your neighbor.
fmhouston.com
Is there a difference between christians and people outside the church when it comes to practicing forgiveness? Is it harder to forgive people who claim to be christian but turn their backs on you? Donyale and Ken join the conversations to discuss the hurdles that come with letting go of anger and overcoming difficult situations.
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This week, Andy discusses the helpful wisdom of working together and the importance of 3's.
fmhouston.com
Skeptical on the authenticity of speaking in tongues, a listener asks for some clarity on the spiritual gift and it’s relevancy today. Anthony Rogers joins the conversation as the group shares their experiences speaking in tongues and it’s place not only in the Charismatic Movement but the Methodist church as well.
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Brant shares tales of failure and success on his road to romance and marrige.
fmhouston.com
This week, a listener wants to know how much of the Bible they can believe, or if everything is just made up in order to get us to be better people. The answer: some of both! It's complicated! Take a listen.
fmhouston.com/ama
thesourcehouston.org
This week, Ann looks to the Bible to tell us what it takes to make a good friend.
fmhouston.com
This week, Andy discusses what makes good friendships and how music influences relationships.
fmhouston.com
In today’s world where communication can be so instant, how can we identify who our enemies and neighbors are? A listener asks how to love our enemies like the Bible tells us to. The group questions if it’s possible to separate a person from their action.
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Dr. Steve Shadrach helps those around the globe find and spread the word of God. This week, he shares how the Bible calls for us to be missionaries.
fmhouston.com
This week the group breaks down the “insider language” in the Affirmation of Faith and the history behind it. Should the Methodist church follow suit like other churches and change the language to be more easily understood or should we bide by tradition? Brandi shares her favorite new creed.
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This week, Andy talks about the origin of the word 'samaritan' and where we place our personal boundaries and loyalties.
fmhouston.com
The group discusses what to do when you experience the restlessness of feeling like you’re not doing enough. A surprise gift for Ben inspires Andy to send us off in an unprecedented way.
For the curious mind: Below are the links to the material referenced in this episode. Far Side Cartoon: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a5/ed/03/a5ed0391108aa830e4c8aabfe2fea3d9.png
Ted Loder - Guerrillas of Grace: https://books.google.com/books/about/Guerrillas_of_Grace.html?id=ds0wANApF0IC&source=kp_book_description
“Ah! Sunflower” by William Blake: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43649/ah-sun-flower
Got a question? Reach us at FMHouston.com/AMA and let us know!
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As Andy continues his series on missions, he talks about the transformative changes that can take place within you when you help others.
fmhouston.com
The group tackle questions about heaven, what it looks like and who/what we’ll find there. Andy shares what his heaven would look like. Ben and Donyale try to keep Andy’s puns at bay.
Got a question? Reach us at FMHouston.com/AMA and let us know!
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In this first week of a new scripture series, Andy talks about being able to witness a person before and after they experience a moment that changes their life.
fmhouston.com
The group takes a look at "Red Letter Christians," whether we're qualified to translate what we read in the Bible, and the various slants that individuals take on Scripture.
Thoughts? Questions? Ask away: FMHouston.com/AMA
The group debates the two messages the Bible seems to send about money - one about giving a portion of your money, the other about giving up all you have to join the church. Which one applies to us? And are we thinking the wrong way about our money?
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This week, Donyale spends some time talking about Pontius Pilate and his decision to listen to the people and execute Jesus.
fmhouston.com
Andy talks about Pontius Pilate and his dumb decision to not listen to guidance.
fmhouston.com
Sadden by the District Attorney’s decision to seek the death penalty for the gunman responsible for the El Paso Walmart mass shooting, a listener struggles with the choice to trust the states decision for justice or oppose it. The group weighs in on the Church’s stance and reflect on the frequency of practice in Texas.
Got a question? Reach us at FMHouston.com/AMA and let us know!
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This week, Brant talks about the story of Jonah and the reason God was unhappy with him when Jonah was out at sea.
fmhouston.com
This week, Andy talks about Jonah the drama queen and how God gave him a task that Jonah didn't really want to do.
fmhouston.com
On Kaitlyn’s last podcast, the group reflects on what they’ve learned in the past three years while working at First Methodist. Their discussion leads them to contemplate the changing dynamics of the church and how it might look in the future.
Got a question? Reach us at FMHouston.com/AMA and let us know!
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In the start of this month's new sermon series, Andy tells stories of being dumb; his own stories throughout life, and the story of Gideon not believing when God spoke to him and told Gideon that he would lead the Israelites.
fmhouston.com
Today’s question has lots of ground to cover, Brandi takes over on this weeks episode with the help of familiar and new voices. A listener questions whether prayer without action is enough.
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Today is Kaitlyn's last service with the church, and she wishes for us to learn how to pray continually and listen to God's voice.
fmhouston.com
Today’s questions comes from a listener who wonders if there is a need to go out into the secular world like John Wesley did in the 18th century, in order to spread the word of God. The group shares some recommended material for another listen who wants to learn more about John Wesley and others like him who formed and shaped the UMC.
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Andy sits down with Mayor Sylvester Turner to discuss Houston, the church, and the church's role in the city.
fmhouston.com
With two Kaitlyn episodes left, we're trying to tackle all of the subjects we can that speak to Kaitlyn's heart. A listener questions whether or not divorce is an option when Scripture suggests it isn't. The group tackles the challenges of marriage, what the Bible really says about divorce, and makes sure to offer help to those who are in need of it.
If you or someone you know if dealing with domestic violence, please don't hesitate to reach out to any of our pastors. As she mentions in this episode, Brandi is always available and ready: bhorton@fmhouston.com
Ask Us A Question! FMHouston.com/AMA
With Kaitlyn’s last podcast on the horizon, the group keeps going through the topics that Kaitlyn most wants to answer before she goes. The discussion of faith, joy, and facing that perhaps happiness is not the end result of prayer also features new pastor Donyale Fraylon, joining the podcast for the first time.
Got a question? Reach us at FMHouston.com/AMA and let us know!
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This week, Andy breaks down the Lord's Prayer line by line and explains how each individual piece is important.
fmhouston.com
We're talking baptisms! Andy can't stop the puns from pouring out of him. The group answers why methodists practice infant baptisms and why methodist pastors don't rebaptize.
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During the start of this year's revival series, Andy discusses the need for confession as the recognition for our faults. It's a humbling experience and can steer us back in the right direction.
fmhouston.com
A political question about the problems at the border camps leads to a lot of different topics, including Christians’ place in the political sphere, the importance of prayer, and the calling God places on us to help the foreigner and the orphan. Includes very light and cautious wading into political waters.
Ask us a question! Or (as you discover when you listen to this episode), send Ben hate mail! FMHouston.com/AMA
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Choirs from both First Methodist campuses came together to perform the 20th century classic work, long known for its difficulty and the precision needed to accomplish the work.
Conducted by our own Dr. Terry Morris.
For more music and information about our music ministry, check out fmhouston.com
Ann closes out the David series by talking about what happens at the end of your life, and what it's like to look back and see the work that God has done.
fmhouston.com
Kaitlyn talks about a movement that means a lot to her - the emerging/emergent church (she explains the difference, don’t worry). It leads to a lot of conversation about what the modern church should be trying to do, and why we battle internally over smaller issues.
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This week, Ken discusses the start of David's fall in life. David commits a sin and plots a way to avoid being caught in his sin; it's a very human response, and although our sins may be different from David's, we will all one day be faced with our wrongdoings and have to decide between our sins and God's path.
fmhouston.com
Andy discusses David's series of bad mistakes since David met Bathsheba. Andy believes that if David had reached out to God, or even friends, perhaps his series of mistakes wouldn't have happened. But David was lost in his bad decisions.
fmhouston.com
Ben sits down with Dr. Terry Morris for a special music episode. The two discuss the preparations of our choir's upcoming performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. They dissect the intricacy of the piece and the composer. Dr. Morris shares his own struggles throughout his career and dives into the challenges operatic vocalists face.
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With the help of some familiar voices, the group takes on two questions this week. One listener asks how we can work together to bring unity in our divided political atmosphere. Another questions whether Paul means individuals should seek greater gifts or the corporate body.
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On this Father's Day Sunday, Brant tells the story of King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Israel. In doing so, Brant discusses the importance of doing things to show the glory of God versus the glory of ourselves.
fmhouston.com
This week, Andy reminds us to experience the joyness of the Lord every now and then, because if we're not paying attention, something holds us back.
fmhouston.com
Andy and Kaitlyn talk about what the life of a pastor is like in practice, talking about some of the more surprising pressures, the oddities of the life, and the problems that happen when your work life bleeds into your private relationships.
Ask us a question! Especially if you have one that you want Kaitlyn to answer. Fmhouston.com/AMA
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Andy looks at the mercy of David as he considers the passage where he refuses to kill Saul because he was anointed by God.
fmhouston.com
Ann talks about Pentecost, and the mercy David showed to Saul on the day he refused to kill him.
fmhouston.com
The group tell us what lead them to become pastors. We explore Brandi’s long list of degrees and Ben shares why he didn’t go “Hollywood”.
Link to the Poem mentioned in today's episode: https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/two-tramps-in-mud-time/
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This week, Brant discusses the connections between loneliness and a lack of real friendship. Sometimes, real friendship involves humility and raising your friends' needs above yours.
fmhouston.com
This week, Andy discusses friendship. The word 'friend' in modern society has been cheapened thanks to social media, and it has caused loneliness.
fmhouston.com
This week, Andy discusses the war between the Israelites and the Philistines that lead to the battle between David and Goliath. David sticks to what he knows and he's familiar with in order to take down an otherwise overwhelming opponent.
Ann reads the tale of David and Goliath, and tells us that everyone has their own Goliath; this giant comes in all shapes and sizes, and might not even have a physical presence.
Andy and Ben take a harder-edged question about asking for money head on, and spend some time talking about spending money on bounce houses, why you should show up to church, and the difference between giving to the church and being the church.
Ask us a harder-edged question yourself! Reach us at FMHouston.com/ama.
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In the first sermon of our new series, Brandi discusses optical illusions and our perception; for we may only be seeing part of the overall picture of our role in God's plans.
fmhouston.com
This week, Andy talks about what makes a great leader and listening to God's calling.
fmhouston.com
The name of the game is 'Unfinished Business'. The group gets another shot at answering questions from Sunday's live AMA podcast - specifically on two question they want to reconsider: why did we have animal sacrifice, and why do we have female preachers? Meanwhile, Andy and Kaitlyn suggest an interesting read on what Houstonians are really thinking.
The link to that is here : https://kinder.rice.edu/houstonsurvey2019
Ask us a question! FMHouston.com/AMA
Andy, Kaitlyn, and Brandi have a live Ask Me Anything podcast in front of the congregation. In this service, they handle questions about why God demanded animal sacrifice, what God feels about the Catholic church, and if there's any reason to join a church at all.
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Andy, Kaitlyn, and Brandi have their first EVER live Ask Me Anything podcast on Sunday, in front of the congregation. In this service, they handle questions about why Judas gets a bad rap and whether we will see our Jewish friends in Heaven.
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After a Sunday answering questions from kids, the group kicks around some of the questions they got and ponders why it is that straightforward answers from children led to deeper and more meaningful answers.
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The children of First Methodist take over this week's AMA questions and to Andy's surprise they didn't hold back.
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Andy answers questions posed by the children of First Methodist. The kids ask questions like "Why would the Israelites complain after all God had done for them?" and "Do we think the people who don't believe like we do are wrong?"
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Ann and Kaitlyn take turns answering the questions asked by the children of First Methodist.
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Brandi takes a dive in and answers your "Ask Me Anything Questions" off the cuff. Fortunately, what she's talking about is right in her wheelhouse.
Send us more questions! FMHouston.com/AMA
No denomination is spared after Andy and Brandi are let loose on this weeks episode! The group follows up on a AMA question from Sunday about chooseing Methodism over other denominations.
Ask us a question!
FMHouston.com/AMA.
This second service of 'Ask Me Anything', Andy answers questions like 'In the Lord's Prayer, we ask God to lead us not in to temptation, but why would a loving God lead us to temptation in the first place?', 'When did we stop washing each other's feet if it's stated as a thing to do in the Bible?', and 'Why should someone choose to be a Methodist?'
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In this year's first Ask Me Anything sermon, Andy answers questions like 'Can God make a rock so big He can't lift it?' 'Why do some church's require interviews?' and 'Why does Jesus not recognize the life of service given by the good son in the parable of the prodigal son?'
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After a brief interlude to answer a question about how our Lenten practices are going, the group delves into a complex question about what discipleship After a big Easter weekend, someone wondered why an Easter bunny was included as part of our celebration – and whether the bunny and the eggs have any extra meaning, or if we’re just letting in some bad traditions.
WARNING: If you still have a tradition of Santa Claus/The Easter Bunny/The Tooth Fairy/etc. in your home, we recommend not listening to this podcast with your kids around.
Ask us a question! Especially now, during this Ask Me Anything series! You may be surprised at how many people want to hear the same thing you do.
FMHouston.com/AMA.
Andy mentions the importance of having a hand to hold with Jesus. God wants to be with us, to be tangible in our lives, for Jesus is present in our lives in a tangible way.
Happy Easter.
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As we wrap up the Wilderness sermon series on this Easter Sunday, Ann tells the story of Ezekiel and the dry bones. For even being lost in the wilderness, God's Word can bring back life to scattered bones, just as Jesus rose from the dead on this day.
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Andy considers the story of Good Friday on the surface, then tries to see what's beneath - leading to a challenge for us on Easter Weekend to see the same in each other.
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With the knowledge that he would be betrayed, Jesus still honored Judas with a seat at the table. He places even those who stray afar, close to him.
thesourcehouston.org
Ken talks about the massive love that Jesus showed to us at the Last Supper, and gives us how some simple steps on how to start to love like that.
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After a brief interlude to answer a question about how our Lenten practices are going, the group delves into a complex question about what discipleship looks like, what is “enough,” and whether you can be a good disciple while still asking questions like “how much does this cost?”
We need more questions! Get your question in at fmhouston.com/AMA.
Andy discusses his time in in Israel and his observations on the wilderness Jesus walked in. ----- fmhouston.com
This week, Ann points out that when traveling through the wilderness sometimes you just need to make a u-turn. ----- fmhouston.com
Andy and Ben are back from their trip to Israel and full of stories from their time traveling there together. Then, the group takes on a question from a listener who has struggled to connect with people who feel quite differently about the Bible than they do.
Got a response? Send us a question! FMHouston.com/AMA
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This week, we are celebrating First Methodist's ministry Neighbors in Action. Kathrin is the Executive Director for NIA which aims to bring the church and Jesus to Port Houston and the East End.
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This week, Brandi discusses how being in the Wilderness can be overwhelming, and that God knows just what to do to help you through it.
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This week, Kaitlyn teaches about regret and transitions while being in the Wilderness.
Books mentioned: Land Without Borders by John A Beck Managing Transitions by William Bridges
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After the shooting in New Zealand, a listener asks if the Church is adequately responding to the trauma. Andy, Kaitlyn, and Ben consider empathy and the ways at which we fail to forgive one another.
Got a question? Ask us at FMHouston.com/AMA.
Andy expands on his story from last week about being on the Metro with a lot of people making their way to the Houston Rodeo. He also discusses the First Sin and Adam and Eve's journey through the Wilderness.
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A C.S. Lewis fan wonders what authors since Lewis will last, which is exactly the sort of question that Brandi and Kaitlyn love answering, and lead the group on a number of different rabbit trails considering the current state of Christian writing.
FMHouston.com/AMA
This week, Brant introduces the new sermon series called 'Wilderness'. He asks us to think about being lost in the wilderness, what happens to us out there, and how we can find our way through it. For the Lenten season is more than just giving up something, it is the wilderness before sanctuary.
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This week, Andy reminds us that this week's scripture tells us of the human side of Jesus. For when the Spirit leads Him into the wilderness for those 40 days and 40 nights, He is tempted by the Devil, just as we are every day of our lives.
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After Brandi (reluctantly) gives an update from a very messy General Conference, the group dives into a follow-up question a listener had about why there are sections of the Bible we don’t choose to preach from.
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As we enter into the Lenten season, Andy talks about how to avoid letting the devil get a foothold in our life - and it starts with surrendering.
Plus, the results of Andy's Facebook poll on what he's giving up for Lent.
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Ann reminds us that Lifehacks are about decreasing chaos in life by making things easier in a number of possible ways, most notably spending less money. But at the same time, sometimes it's nice to rely on items or companies that have stood the test of time, for they have survived for a reason.
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Andy rounds out this 'Lifehack' sermon series by reminding us that sometimes a lifehack isn't always what it seems and that sometimes it might be Jesus 'hacking' into our lives to help us live out God's and Jesus's hope for us.
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Responding to an article discussing how experiencing awe is good for you, the gang discusses whether it’s possible to force experiencing awe, and the benefits of religion. Plus, Andy and Ben bicker over whether “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a good movie or not (it isn’t!), Kaitlyn picks her Best Picture winner, and Ben makes the case why you should see “Roma.”
(https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/why-scientists-say-experiencing-awe-can-help-you-live-your-ncna961826)
Send in a question! FMHouston.com/AMA.
This week, Ken discusses getting caught up in the harshness of the world. Lifehacks are about adding convenience to our own personal lives, but Ken reminds us to be careful that the hacks don't hurt others.
fmhouston.com
The group takes on their very first question - one they have put off for MONTHS - and go into exploring the Biblical accounts of the Nephilim. But, to their surprise, it ends up being one of their most fun conversations! Plus, by the end of it, Andy has rebranded himself as a Millennial, so you know things have gone off the rails.
Send in a question! We’re desperate for more questions. You can reach us at FMHouston.com/AMA.
Andy reminds us that Jesus is a light in darkness, and by accepting Him, we can shine His light and be a beacon to others.
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Kaitlyn returns, and we celebrate by giving her a question she absolutely does not want to answer. But once the group starts to take the question seriously, everyone is surprised to find that they have a lot to say.
Also! This question is a plea to please send in more questions! Any sort of question. We've answered a lot of questions about human sexuality and we would like to talk about something else!
FMHouston.com/AMA.
Andy showcases the proper way to dice an onion, because knowing the proper way to do a task makes your life easier. Just like knowing the proper way to dice an onion, using the right words can make life not just easier, but sweeter as well.
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As the scripture says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," so Ann tells us about a turning point in her life involving the power of word.
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The group discusses the tragic death of young missionary John Chau, who traveled to try and convert the Sentinelese people and was killed for his efforts, resulting in an online firestorm centered around martyrdom, American exceptionalism, and the role mission organizations are supposed to play.
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'Lifehacks' are things that people have found to help make life less stressful and remove chaos. One physical example Ann says is to use a simple plastic straw to core a strawberry. And what better 'lifehack' is there than to accept and put Jesus in your life? For he promises a release from your stress and help with your burdens.
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With today being the Super Bowl, Andy starts off the sermon by turning to the Bible to predict the game's outcome. For the main point, Andy says that it takes us two steps to receive Jesus's promise to ease our burdens, and many people do one, not both.
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After a Source In The City talk about how we, too, are creators, someone wants to know what the group’s favorite things are that are made for the glory of God. The list spans the globe, covers all genres, and at one point Andy makes a pun so bad Ben covers his head in his hands and can’t go on.
Got a question for us? Or feedback you’d like to give? Hit us up at FMHouston.com/AMA.
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This week, Andy discusses how people are more open to changing their paths the hungrier they get; whether physically hungry while on a long bike ride around Houston, or metaphorically hungry for Christ's presence.
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Every is back from vacation! It's time to sit down and take a question on where we (as a church? as individuals? It wasn't clear, so we answered both) give our money, and how we're supposed to decide such a thing when there's so many places in need in this world.
FMHouston.com/ama
Today is the Houston marathon, and Andy takes this opportunity to talk about life's varying moments. To the runners, a marathon is a big moment, but it requires a huge amount of small moments - small moments that mean discipline.
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Ann points out that people can have multiple joys throughout their day, and the source of these joys can come from an abundance of sources, some unexpected and some even through repetition.
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This week's question asks, "When choosing a worship service, is it more important to be filled by the people in attedance or the worship itself?"
Andy, Brandi, and Ken give some guidelines on what to consider when "church shopping" and discuss some misconceptions about what worship should be, while also venturing down a rabbit hole to examine what the idea of being '"fed" by worship really means.
Ask us a question, or send feedback! FMHouston.com/AMA
Andy reminds us that generosity and being open to others allows us to also be open to God and Jesus. He also says that taking time to slow down creates more space to know God in a deeper and more meaningful way.
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This week, Ann finds a quote that breaks down being a disciple and tells her journey within the church.
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Andy and Brandi kick off the new season by hijacking this week's AMA question and discussing the importance of generosity, while also tackling the classic question "why do bad things happen to good people?"
Ask us a question, or send feedback! FMHouston.com/AMA
Andy rings in the New Year by mentioning his plans and goals for the church. He casts a vision for the future of the church: supporting youth ministry, providing events to bring in the community, and staying with the times.
-- fmhouston.com
Now that we're past Christmas, Brant and Ann remind us that it's our duty and 'privilege' as Christians to spread the good news of Jesus' birth while also celebrating Brant's son's baptism. Brant also provides a breakdown of Isaiah's writing; who heard it and what was happening in their lives' when Isaiah preached to them.
FMHouston.com
Andy looks back on the year, from baptisms to putting ash on the forehead of people in passing cars, and reflects on who God really is - that he is not, in fact, a drive-by God. That he is here, and he is here eternally.
FMHouston.com
While shopping for bikes, Andy finds himself discussing what it means to be a pastor with all that's going on in the world with the bike salesman. Andy talks about how Christmas is a very simple story. At its roots, the story is simply that the baby Jesus came to bring us peace.
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This week, Ann contemplates where she can go to find peace in today's world.
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The question has been asked before, but there’s still a lot to unpack - what is it that’s necessary to believe in order to not be a heretic? And what do we need to keep about the Christmas story?
The group gets into common misperceptions and the way our misinterpretation of the Christmas story doesn’t mean we’re getting the point of it wrong.
Here’s the article Kaitlyn mentions. (Link: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2018/december/putting-christ-back-in-christmas-not-enough-nativity-americ.html)
We’ll be back in a few weeks! Ask us a question! FMHouston.com/AMA
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In this week's short homily, Ann discusses "reversals" and an impromptu soccer match that happened on the front lines one Christmas Day during World War I.
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After referencing John Wesley last week, a new listener asks about the importance of Wesley, and whether the group could give him a starting point on Wesley's ministry and sermons. Unsurprisingly, Kaitlyn and Brandi are INCREDIBLY excited about this prospect.
Ask us a question, or send feedback! FMHouston.com/AMA
Here's links to the sermons referenced in this podcast: On Working Out Our Own Salvation (link: http://spokanevalleychurch.org/core/files/spokanevalleychurch/uploads/files/Wesley's_On_Working_Out_Our_Own_Salvation_Both_Versions.pdf)
The Scripture Way of Salvation (link: https://www.umcmission.org/Find-Resources/John-Wesley-Sermons/Sermon-43-The-Scripture-Way-of-Salvation)
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The amount of stories that are all the same is vexing Andy, and he complains about how every movie he goes to seems the same. But then he shows us how the story of Christmas is the Hero's Journey - the simple story, the same story told over and over again, of hope lost and found again.
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As he looks at the Christmas season, Brant considers what he calls "One-Dimensional Gifts" - simple gifts that don't last very long. He warns us that when we begin to look at Jesus' birth one-dimensionally, we miss a lot of what makes this season so special.
FMHouston.com
A woman who had a profound experience in which a stranger told her that she had seen Jesus walking besides her wanted to know: do we believe in angels? Do we think that the person she met could have been an angel?
It’s a question that group hadn’t considered before, and so there’s discussion of the nature of angels in scripture, the presence of the Divine in every day life, and how American culture affects what we think we can and can’t believe.
Ask us a question, or send us feedback! This, plus every AMA episode, is available at FMHouston.com/AMA.
Andy talks about what it takes to prepare your heart for Christmas - what it takes to truly celebrate Christmas well. What if, these last 30 days of the year, we chose to live our lives wholly as servants for Christ?
FMHouston.com
So much of our Christmas traditions involve waiting - traditions that echo the long waiting that came before the first Christmas, the waiting for the coming of the Messiah.
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This episode’s question comes from Ben’s mom, who wants to know what to do when you pray for a very long time for something that’s in God’s will, such as a family member coming to faith – and yet it never happens.
Ask your own question – reach us at any time at FMHouston.com/AMA.
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In Philippians, Paul tells us that we are not to be anxious about anything - but our anxiety as Americans keeps increasing. 39% of people say they are more anxious today than they were a year ago. And, as Brandi tells us, that means that the church has a problem.
Philippians 4:4-9
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As Christmas season kicks off, Andy talks about all of the things that could be worrying him, if he let them. As he takes a look at the gentleness that Paul pushes us towards in Philippians, he shows how gentleness pushes worry away. Plus, his kids are back in town, so that means stories.
Philippians 4:4-9
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Last week’s letter-writer, James, follows up with further queries, and after boiling them down to a few simple questions – “does the Church have a moral imperative in regards to homosexuality? Is it really a choice between following the law and loving people?” and “are we being deliberately wishy-washy so as not to offend certain groups?”
Then, the crew tries to take them on.
Plus, in honor of Thanksgiving, a dive into why gratitude is so important!
Ask us a question! You can reach us anytime at fmhouston.com/ama.
Kaitlyn "nerds out" by walking us through James Fowler's Stages of Faith, and talks about the place that a lot of Christians get stuck at. But because Kaitlyn is nothing if not practical, she walks us through the journey step-by-step, and gives us some heavy questions to consider as we go on our way.
FMHouston.com
On Veteran's Day Weekend, Andy looks back on his grandfather's military service, and considers what a life of service looks like. A conversation with a Blue Angel gives him the message that "courage and faith go hand-in-hand."
As he looks at his marriage, he sees the opportunities Jesus gives us to live a life of humility - and explains why living humbly is actually the easier path.
FMHouston.com
Philippians 2:12-13
The crew responds to a question with a ton of layers to it, covering Old Testament law, divorce, homosexuality, and about half a dozen more things. It’s a conversation about how to talk about religious beliefs when you’re not in lock step, and what Christian debate should look like.
Ask us a question! You can reach us anytime at fmhouston.com/ama.
Andy sits down with Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo to talk to him about his faith, the role of community in the city of Houston, and the realities of police work. What happens next is a forthright and honest conversation about our city, and what policing it really requires.
FMHouston.com
Ann considers the church at Philippi, and how Paul wrote them a letter from a tiny cell - but it was a letter of great joy! Then Ann considers the things that stunt our Christian joy, and how so many have it despite living lives of pain and struggle.
FMHouston.com
The group is back together! Andy, Brandi, Kaitlyn, and Ben break down a couple different questions from listeners - first, they deal with the context of what "he who does not work shall not eat" means, and Brandi throws out some Greek translation off the top of her head.
Then, someone who can't make it to church on Sundays because of work asks what to do about their predicament - where should their loyalties lie?
Ask us a question, or respond back to the podcast! Reach us at fmhouston.com/ama
Brant immediately announces his intention to get controversial, and requests that if you have any problem with it... that you should email Andy.
Then, he gets deeply personal, telling the story of the struggle he and his wife had to get pregnant, how he stayed in prayer over it for years and years.
He had to learn how to find hope.
His father is battling cancer, and has been for years... and he had to learn how to find hope.
Brant reminds us that without stepping out into a difficult world, we cannot hope to enact change. We have no chance of finding the abundant life Christ offers us.
FMHouston.com
On a special episode, Dr. Terry Morris takes us through Brahms' Requiem, exploring its roots, the deep emotion behind its creation, and various motifs and styles that float in and out throughout the composition. Plus, stories from his turn as a villanous preacher in Susanne, and the time he shocked an audience full of Baptists so much they had to change the lyrics to one of the songs the next night.
FMHouston.com
This week, Kaitlyn and Ben are joined by First Methodist Houston's own [Dr. Ashley Sanford], to sit down to discuss the often-ignored importance of mental health in our lives, and to discuss the stigmas behind mental health and our faith.
Ask us a question! We can be reached at any time at FMHouston.com/AMA [link to: fmhouston.com/ama]
Andy took a trip to the symphony to see legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, and the encounter got him thinking about the story of Rahab (it makes sense, we promise). The story of Rahab is "a fantastically messy story" - but when we look at our lives, they're messy, too.
But God wants all of us to make it. No matter how dark it's been, God has a plan for us. But we need to hear what Christ is calling us to do today.
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As Ann tells the story of Rahab, she's reminded of a similar story of a woman who once had to force herself to cross the threshold of the church - but once she did, she led a life that led other people to change their lives.
The story reminds us that the responsibility to grow the church is on us. We are the ones who God uses to make the change.
As Ann says, "the Church absolutely never stops moving."
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Ken and Anthony return! We get a question about the Holy Spirit – when it shows up, does everybody get it, and what everybody’s experience with it is. It turns out, what the United Methodist church thinks about it might just surprise you.
Ask us a question! We can be reached at any time at FMHouston.com/AMA. [link to: fmhouston.com/ama]
After taking a vote with the congregation, Andy decides to start his sermon seriously, and end it with some fun.
He starts with what he learned about racism in his time in St. Louis, and the important words two pastors there said to him that have stuck with him.
Later, we learn why the book of Esther almost did not make it into the Bible, and have some fun with moving seats in church.
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This is what Brandi admits is a hard word: facing up to the fact that church is becoming less and less relevant in the world, and that it is our responsibility to change it. And that changing the world is going to take all of us.
Plus, what Spider-Man can teach us about how changing the world involves other people.
fmhouston.com
Brandi shares her original "Plan A," and how she gradually learned that her carefully-laid plan wasn't the right plan at all.
She compares it to Ruth, and how Ruth had her Plan A thrown out as well - but when she found hope, she found something wonderful.
Plus, all the reasons why Brandi wasn't sure if David should be her husband.
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Ann and Brant team up on a sermon to talk about Ruth's faithfulness, and her willingness to adapt to change. Along the way, we get an update on Brant's brand-new baby, the story of Henry Ford destroying one of his automobiles in fury, and discovering whether we are a "Big Godder" or a "Little Godder."
fmhouston.com
The gang is back together and answering questions again! On this episode, the group talks about the pluses and minuses of the greet-your-neighbor part of church, and how being an introvert changes one’s perspective on the matter.
Then, responding to someone’s concern, they talk about what happens to our souls when we die, and how we handle parts of scripture written in metaphor.
You can respond or ask us questions anytime at fmhouston.com/ama (link:http://fmhouston.com/ama)
When Andy was handed Moby Dick in high school, as he stared at this startlingly thick book, his teacher told the class to dive in - they'd never get anywhere if they didn't dive right in.
As Andy considers the eleven disciples, hearing the Great Commission for the first time, wondering how on earth they could ever complete something truly impossible - yet the church exists today because of their willingness to simply dive in.
Matthew 28: 18-20
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Brant takes the pulpit to close out our missions series, emphasizing the difficulty - the impossiblity - of what God asks of us by telling stories of the Immaculate Reception, and Mao's effect in China. But his emphasis is on the promise Jesus makes in the Great Commission - his promise to be with us always.
Matthew 28: 18-20
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Kathrin comes by the podcast to talk about how a German woman ended up leading a Hispanic ministry in Port Houston, how a ministry like that has to operate, and how the people in that community are dealing with a difficult political time.
You can reach us any time to ask questions at fmhouston.com/ama.
On a Sunday where we celebrated the opening of our Harvey House for someone who had lost everything during the hurricane, Andy talks about the ways that Satan can throw up a million different obstacles. And as he continues to struggle with the Peloton, Andy talks about how he needs to force himself through to get to the other side - and how Paul was trying to teach the Philippians a similar message.
Philippians 3:12-21
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After she catches her daughter imitating her, Brandi considers the example that she gives. She compares it to Paul's example from these verses, as he invites the Philippians to imitate him - in the hope that they would follow and learn to imitate Jesus. Brandi points out that Paul's message is a focus on what it means to have your citizenship in heaven.
Plus, a shoutout to the original 12th man.
Philippians 3:15-21
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This week, Bill Allen and Alexis McCarty swing by to talk about Lifeline, the homeless ministry of our church, and tell stories about the people they've met and relationships they've made.
Ask us a question anytime: FMHouston.com/AMA
Visiting missionary Peter Swann tells us stories of how God had nudged him to share the Gospel, both in villages in South Sudan - and with people he bumped into in a Houston mall.
fmhouston.com
This week, Loren Trujillo, our Refugee Ministry Coordinator, joins us to talk about the refugee community in Houston, the huge opportunity we have with our West Campus, and the way our church has been able to make connections with the nearby refugee communites.
Ask us a question anytime: FMHouston.com/AMA
Andy is reminded of a near-miraculous fishing excursion he once went on, and the wrong lesson he learned from it. While considering missions, he points out the long view that we need to be taking in our lives. "To say 'yes' to Christ," he says, " we have to let something go."
FMHouston.com
As Ann remembers her third grade teacher, Mrs. McKinney, she recalls the excitement of discovering something new - and having that new thing be the path that you take.
So, what was Jesus' classroom like?
FMHouston.com
Anthony asked us to talk about the new Colin Kaepernick Nike ad, so we talk about it from every angle, from the Biblical understanding of being a prophet, to American consumerism, to turning a blind eye to things we don't want to see, and everything else that jumps out at us.
Then, someone writes in to figure out if they're a heretic or not, and we try and figure that out.
Ask us a question, or respond back at:
FMHouston.com/AMA
Andy talks about the Great Commission, and all the various ways that our church is reaching out into the world to spread the gospel. Plus, his new plan to reach out with the gospel in Houston that might put him in the emergency room.
Matthew 28: 16-20
All month, we will be fundraising to support our missions outreach across the world. Visit the site to learn more:
FMHouston.com/commissioned
Ann talks about how our "Mission Impossible" can become a mission possible - because to believe the Great Commission mean that anything is possible.
Matthew 28: 18-20
All month, we will be fundraising to support our missions outreach across the world. Visit the site to learn more:
FMHouston.com/commissioned
After a listener responded in frustration and disappointment to our answer about the United Methodist Church's struggle to find a solution to gay marriage within the church, Andy, Brandi, and Kaitlyn go back to reconsider their answers. Plus, book recommendations!
Here's a list of the books mentioned:
Andy: "The Sacred Enneagram" by Christopher L. Heuertz "The Righteous Mind" by Jonathan Haidt
Kaitlyn: "The Sacred Enneagram" by Christopher L. Heuertz "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman "Stages of Faith" by James W. Fowler
Brandi: "Saint Benedict on the Freeway" - Corrine Ware "I Know How She Does It" - Laura Vanderkam "Just Mercy" - Bryan Stevenson
Ben: "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis
Ask us a question!
FMHouston.com/AMA
Brandi talks about her struggles with with a Pizza Hut (and works in a pun so flawlessly Andy should be embarrassed), and the value of authenticity, both within the church and in our every day lives. Then, why a set of pictures from the Chronicle this week moved her so much.
James 2: 14-17 fmhouston.com
Ann Spears joins the podcast as three pastors who have battled with talking about our relationship to the Pharisees from the stage gather to talk about what makes this subject tough to talk about, and why hypocrisy is so easy. Plus, we're joined - noisily at first, but gradually much more calmly - by Brandi's one-year-old daughter, and we talk about the Enneagram WITHOUT KAITLYN EVEN BEING THERE, which will probably lead to some repercussions for all of us.
fmhouston.com/ama
Andy looks closely at the way the Pharisees lived their lives, and pushed others to live their lives. Then he compares Biblical hypocrisy to modern hypocrisy, and points out the ways that our actions echo those mentioned by Jesus in the Bible. Plus, why his daughter has banned him from tweeting about Peloton.
Matthew 15: 1-11
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Ann starts off with the story of her new Roomba, and its penchant for attacking things throughout the house (and the terrific name that Max gave it). She then digs into the dirt of hypocrisy in the church - this church, in fact. Telling stories of how she's seen hypocrisy rear its head throughout the church in her years here, she lays bare the problems at the heart of our faith.
Matthew 15: 1-11
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Three different questions lead to three different conversations, as Andy, Brandi, and Ben work through current debates about homosexuality in the United Methodist Church, compare the Pharisees to the modern day church, and discuss 1 Corinthians 14:34, which tells us that a woman shouldn't speak while in church.
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Andy has a sermon planned out, but an encounter with a woman during the first service derails him and sends him in a new direction. He talks about the planks in our eyes, but he also talks about reaching out, the ways we need to be open to things that are uncomfortable, and the voice of the Holy Spirit we may be ignoring.
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Brant details his frustrations and hypocrisy when it comes to judging other people, and the constant struggle that judgment has been in his life. When it comes to this issue, he knows he has a plank in his own eye (he even brought in the plank!). But a chance encounter with someone he judged at first sight leads him in an entirely new direction.
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While everyone else is away, Andy answers a few AMA questions solo. He tackles questions about the innerrancy of scripture, the Bible as a living, breathing document, and how our interpretations matter.
Don't forget to send in your questions or links to any topic you'd like to hear everyone talk about!
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The new series kicks off with part of an interactive survey conducted in real-time to find out whether Christians follow more in line with attitudes and actions Jesus or the Pharisees. Brandi then talks about how the results can point out a hypocrisy within the Christian faith today, and relates it to the term "Fake News" today, and even to one of her favorite podcasts about magic!
Matthew 24:1-4
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The new series kicks off with part of an interactive survey conducted in real-time to find out whether Christians follow more in line with attitudes and actions Jesus or the Pharisees. Brandi then talks about how the results can point out a hypocrisy within the Christian faith today, and relates it to the term "Fake News" today, and even to one of her favorite podcasts about magic!
Matthew 24:1-4
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Andy, Brandi, and Kaitlyn respond to two articles written about the importance of having prominent female religious leaders. The group talks through their different experiences within the church, and ask the question 'What are you doing to elevate people around you, who don't look like you?'
Click here to read the articles the group is responding to. Article 1 and Article 2
Don't forget to send in your questions or links to any topic you'd like to hear everyone talk about!
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As Simply Ordinary continues, Ken examines what it means for God to use things by looking at how God uses people to do his work. It leads to the topic of grace, and how we are called to treat each other not with equality, but with equity, giving to those that have needs, not everyone getting the same.
Plus, like Oprah, there is a suprising giveaway partway through!
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Andy returns from Ithaca to discuss baptism and "remembering your baptism" on the week of First Methodist's "Simply Ordinary" baptism ceremony. Along the way, we talk about how the church does confirmation wrong, a Martin Luther quote worth remembering, and Brandi accidentally calls Ben a demon.
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As Andy returns from his trip, he focuses on what it's like when God calls us back to home - and how he pulls us out of the wilderness.
Plus, his experiences in Ithaca, and how "Won't You Be My Neighbor," the new Mr. Rogers documentary, pulled him up sharply.
Numbers 20: 1-13
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Ann tells the story of how Moses called water from the rock with his staff, and reminds us that God will take anything to reveal himself to us, and then we reveal God to other people. Then, the story of the rainbow God used to call Ann into ministry.
Numbers 20: 1-13
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Kaitlyn and Ben talk about the surprising examples of faith and consistency they found while watching the new Mr. Rogers documentary, "Won't You Be My Neighbor." Also, we find out how "Three's Company" kept Ben from having a TV growing up, and why Brandi isn't allowed to leave ever again.
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Where do you go to find God? What does a holy place look like?
Brandi explores how we find God, and the places we go to find him. To show what she means, she talks about the holiest place that she knows: a Catholic church on the border of Texas and Mexico, and what she found there.
Exodus 3:1-10
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Brandi, Kaitlyn, and Ben dive into an article about journalism and politics that turns out to be much more about how we oversimplify narratives and how we consistently fail to deal with conflict correctly. How are we as the church, and as its people, getting this wrong over and over again?
The article is called "Complicating the Narratives," and can be read here: https://thewholestory.solutionsjournalism.org/complicating-the-narratives-b91ea06ddf63
Send in your questions and your comments! FMHouston.com/AMA
Often we don't feel up to the task, but Ann reminds us that the Holy Spirit isn't bothered one bit by where we are. She goes through the Bible to show us the stories of all those people who were called by God to great things despite incredible deficiencies, and reminds us that he is calling us to do the same.
Acts 4: 13-14
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Andy talks about three ways he saw the Holy Spirit at work in our church this week, one of which involved the miraculous appearance of a literal busload of Lutherans. Then he talks about Acts 4, and how Holy Spirit empowered the deeply ordinary men that Jesus had selected as his disciples. When God moves the same way in us, "we don't just see lives being changed - we see kingdoms being built."
Acts 4: 13-14
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This week is ostensibly about unjust laws and how we deal with them as Christians, but that turns out to not at all be where the conversation ends up. Instead, Brandi, Juan, and Ben focus on what Jesus told us about how "the poor are always with you," the parable of the sheep and the goats, and the ways we try to make something complicated into something simple to make ourselves feel better.
Plus, a brief and unplanned interruption by live salsa music.
Send us in your questions and responses!
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Back from his trip with the youth group to Peru, Andy talks about what it means to be changed - and how being changed, and pledging to follow Christ, requires absolutely everything. Then, as we begin communion, he holds up the bread and the cup and talks about the sacrifice that came before us that also gave absolutely everything.
Matthew 6:11
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In response to Attorney General Jeff Sessions' use of Romans 13 during a speech about immigration, the group fields a question about what the Bible really says about the issue, and struggles to deal with commenting on policy in difficult political times. Plus, Ben finds out he's not an Evangelical!
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To tell the story of how Jesus gives us a light burden as we follow him, Ann tells the story of Mike and Julie, who lost their way in figuring out what a well-lived life looks like.
Matthew 11:28-30
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Listening to the radio while bringing his son to college, Andy ends up reflecting on the nature of the refugee, and the wanderers from whom Christianity begins: the Israelites. Then he looks forward to what being a welcoming church is, and in the middle of the New Mexico desert, he's hit hard by a reminder from God as he recognizes what that looks like in his own life.
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After a post-Easter crash leaves Ann exhausted, she confronts the constant busyness of her life. Eventually, she finds her way back to the story of Jeremiah, who faced down the Israelites who refused to recognize the commands of the Bible.
Then, to tackle things from another angle, Bill comes down the aisle to talk about the medical necessities of rest, and the way we constantly act in a way totally separate from how a healthy life should be lived.
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Andy, Brandi, Kaitlyn, and Ben respond to a New York Times Opinion Piece that gives faint praise to religion as a generic positive in people's lives. The group breaks down the writer's perspective, considers the actual benefits of a faith in Christ, and considers what their lives would look like without religion in them.
This article was sent in by a listener - send in your questions or links to any topic you'd like to hear everyone talk about!
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Ann struggles to deal with the idea of a true Sabbath - can she go from 24/7 to 24/6? To do so, she ends up going back and facing the directions given in the Ten Commandments.
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Andy speaks powerfully on the incredible importance of naps while discussing just what exactly a Sabbath is - and why it's so necessary.
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The group is back from Annual Conference, and gives a quick update on the goings on within our denomination and our church. Then, a question about why God blesses people who don't follow him more than he does those who do leads to a discussion of if that's true - and what God's blessing really means.
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A chance frustrating encounter leads Andy to reconsider how he considers the Sabbath. Then he encourages everyone to go take a nap.
But there is something deeper to the Sabbath. As Andy says, "God said on the cross, 'it is finished,' and there is nothing left for us to do."
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Brant Wallace takes to the pulpit and fights against the busyness of life - the endless cycles we put ourselves through, the constant overstacking of our schedules. What do we do when we have more to do than we can actually do?
Plus, the ideal time to upload something onto YouTube.
Genesis 2: 3
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With the pastoral staff out of town, Ben brings in Mandy and Juan to talk about the general questions of youth group and why students leave the church. It leads into a much broader discussion of how kids sense falsehood, the cultural differences with youth in church around the world, and what it is that makes the church a place that students keep coming back to.
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Andy talks about the various ways our words can have power, how they can have life and death, and the way we can say precisely the wrong thing. He talks about following God's instruction for controlling our words, and remembers an old friend who, time and time again, helped him to do so.
Proverbs 18:21
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Brandi discusses "the fiery tongue" discussed in Proverbs, which leads to a broader talk about how we should be living our lives - and what the world should expect to see in us.
Proverbs 18:21
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Andy, Brandi, and Ken discuss the fallout that comes after a shooting like Santa Fe, and explore the ways that we, as Christians, can respond to tragedies like this - and return to the Sermon on the Mount to see what Jesus had to say about it.
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In the midst of an packed, joyous service, Andy takes the stage to talk about the truest meaning of Pentecost - how God created a church to bring the gospel to the world, and how God made this church to bring the gospel to this city.
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Ken returns from paternity leave and joins Anthony in the studio to talk about Pentecost with Andy. The three of them explore their very different backgrounds and common fears and misconceptions people have when it comes to the Holy Spirit.
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"I hate to tell you this, church - but I'm not so convinced that we're not the religious insiders."
On Mother's Day, Brandi remembers what it was like to deal with her own mother when she had been disobedient, and then goes into the story of the centurion, who had unshakable faith in what Jesus could do. She studies the healing word that Jesus give - but also the challenge that the story actually give us.
Matthew 8: 5-13
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On Mother's Day, Ann returns to the blessing of Aaron, and what it means to actually give a blessing to someone. She ends up venturing out into the congregation to deliver a blessing to someone right there and then!
Luke 24: 50-53
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Today's topic is division within the church - that's church with both a big "C" and a little one - how do we pray for it, how do we avoid becoming splintered, and how do we stop from focusing on what everyone else is doing wrong?
Send in your questions and your feedback!
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Andy looks at a story of Elijah, where God calls him out to hear him as he passed by. And just like Elijah found God in the silence, Andy helps us to find God in the same place. And because of who he is, Andy pushes us towards hearing it in the everyday - and once you hear it, doing something about it.
1 Kings 19:9-13
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Andy returns, and joins Brandi and Kaitlyn in a continuation of a discussion from last week about how you decide how to interpret Scripture. But this week they face the biggest issue dividing the church - how to deal with questions about homosexuality. From the church's struggle at large, to the splitting within our own denomination, to personal encounters, each of the three work to try and explore the different shades in an issue many see as black-and-white.
Have a question? Reach out to us at fmhouston.com/ama. All questions are confidential.
Upon his return from Guatemala, a moved Andy talks about how new technology has changed our culture, but he pushes quickly past it into the powerful gift God has given to us: the power of speech. And how that gift that has given us a greater power: the ability to make change.
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As we introduce a new series on the Voice of God, an explores the mighty voice of God the Creator, who spoke the earth into being. But the focus of this sermon is on us, and the way we live our lives in on fear - the fear of sharing our faith, the fear of speaking up. Ann dives into the dangers of silence.
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With Andy gone to Guatemala, the group puts a pin in some of the questions of the week before and instead focuses in on a question never asked from the stage: "Does our reading of Scripture shape our worldview, or does our worldview shape our reading of the Scriptures?"
It will not shock you that this leads Brandi and Kaitlyn all kinds of places, including the Reformation, the political climate during the periods the Bible was being written, our own personal worries, and a into surprisingly long interlude about circumcison.
Plus, the group explores the bigger (though related) question of "who gets to decide what the Scriptures mean?" and how community and the pursuit of truth play a role in how we read the Bible.
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Andy keeps asking for Ask Me Anything questions that are a little easier, and we keep throwing him the hardest ones we've got. It starts with someone who is wondering who gets to decide what in the Bible is true and what isn't (2:30), which leads into a question of if we believe Paul's writing is from God, then why would anyone condone homosexual marriage (13:17)? Then, someone asks why God asks us to be monogamous if he made our animal instincts to be the opposite(20:45)? Finally, Andy sends in his own question (technically, that's not cheating) to talk about how our church can be a more complete picture of Christ (28:42).
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Ann and Brant take on some of the more personal questions of Ask Me Anything: first, a person who is being bullied by her own family member and doesn't know what to do (1:45). Then, they get into the history of baptism and how exactly that whole thing got started (8:35) before trying to sort out a person's shame and guilt at being unforgiven for something the did wrong (16:48). Lastly, someone was deeply curious about a story in the Bible where the tombs emptied and the the dead walked around Jerusalem after Jesus' resurrection (24:48).
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A weekend of tough questions means that the group ends up diving deep into some of the biggest topics of our faith. First, they debate the report that the Pope has denied the existence of Hell, and argue over what the larger conversation of the nature of Hell means for all of us (1:55). Then, a question about whether there's any point in waiting until marriage for sex leads to a discussion of both the importance of keeping intimacy sacred and also how the church is failing a section of its audience by refusing to engage in the culture (14:20). Finally, an attempt to reconcile a perfect God with a broken world, and to figure out if prayer actually does anything to fix it (24:00).
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Andy gets a number of fastballs thrown at him in this sermon, including a question about tattoos (1:20), whether there really is a time to hate and a time to kill (4:48), can God really be all-good and all-powerful (10:52), and why we work so hard in life just to die at the end (22:05).
If you're looking for the people and podcasts named here:
Podcasts Relevant Magazine Ask Me Anything Follow-Up Podcast
Writers Eugene Peterson N.T. Wright Bob Goff ("Love Does") Rob Bell
You can still ask questions for this series!
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Ann and Brandi team up to tackle their mystery questions, which end up being "How did Jesus choose his 12 apostles?" (1:10) "Are people who are dead already in Heaven?" (5:56) and "Can you lose your salvation?" (15:25). Plus, book and podcast recommendations! (24:30)
If you're looking for the people and podcasts named here:
Brandi: Writers Lauren Winner Barbara Brown Taylor
Podcasts The Moth This American Life Invisibilia
Ann Writers Barbara Brown Taylor John Ortberg Max Lucado (especially "Facing The Giants")
TV Nova
You can still ask questions for this series!
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Andy, Kaitlyn, and Brandi get settled in for our first-ever Ask Me Anything Follow-Up podcast, and start to work through a dramatic Week One of the series. They talk about how to talk to a close relative who is antagonistic to the idea of God (2:00), why God would ask Abraham to sacrifice his song (10:40), and our church's relationship with the homeless in Houston (19:00).
We still need questions for the series! Please ask your question at FMHouston.com/AMA
We continue to break Ask Me Anything down, question by question. On this one, Andy talks about the difference between the Old and the New Covenant.
You can still ask questions for this series!
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We continue to break Ask Me Anything down, question by question. On this one, Andy discusses the death of Jesus and what a blood sacrifice really means.
You can still ask questions for this series!
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We continue to break Ask Me Anything down, question by question. On this one, Andy discusses the way the church helps out the homeless men and women of Houston - and the incredible impact they've had on our church.
You can still ask questions for this series!
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We continue to break Ask Me Anything down, question by question. Here, Andy talks about the guilt and worry that soldiers feel in regards to the cost of life from military encounters.
You can still ask questions for this series!
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Andy deals with some very tough questions on his second go-round. First, he's asked whether God forgives soldiers for their actions during military service, why the church allows the homeless to sleep on the steps, why God demanded a blood sacrifice, and what the difference is between the old and the new covenant. It's quite a run.
You can still ask questions for this series!
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We're breaking Ask Me Anything down, question by question. On this one, Andy talks about dealing with a family member who won't accept Christ and refuses to talk about it.
You can still ask questions for this series!
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We're breaking Ask Me Anything down, question by question. On this one, Andy talks about the sacrifice Abraham was asked to make to God to kill his only son.
You can still ask questions for this series!
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We continue to break Ask Me Anything down, question by question. On this one, Andy talks about homosexual and transgender people and how they fit within the dynamic of this church.
You can still ask questions for this series!
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We're dividing Ask Me Anything up into individual answers. In the first question of the series, Andy is asked why no one prays for Satan.
You can still ask questions for this series!
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During 'Ask Me Anything,' Andy gets questions he's never seen before and has to come up with answers on the spot. On his first run through, Andy gets questions on why no one prays for Satan, whether homosexual or transexual people should serve in the church, why Abraham was told to kill Isaac, and what to do about a family member who rejects Christianity.
You can still ask questions for this series!
FMHouston.com/AMA
On Easter Sunday, Andy talks about finding an empty tomb, and invites people to come join him for a week to see how God is moving. Then he explores what it means to be a church that is different in a world that sticks to its own kind, and why he's taking the staff to see "Black Panther" this week.
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As we celebrate Easter, Ann talks about the devastation of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb, and how often we find ourselves looking in the wrong direction. Plus, now that Lent is done, what she's planning on doing as soon as she gets home from church.
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In the midst of a contemplative Service of Darkness, Andy gave a short meditation asking us to consider ourselves at our worst , and the frustrating reality of this dark but holy day.
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On Palm Sunday, Andy and Kathrin split up the sermon to talk about the mission of Neighbors in Action, what it actually means to follow Jesus, and what it's like when Jesus breaks through to us. Plus, an update on Andy's rooting interest in March Madness.
This podcast has a video testimony that's been clipped from it. To watch the video, click here.
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On NIA Sunday, Brandi and Kathrin take turns on the stage to talk about the mission of Neighbors in Action, Jesus' triumphant entrance to Jerusalem, and the connections between.
This podcast has a video testimony that's been clipped from it. To watch the video, click here.
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This week, Andy gets a sermon illustration at the top of the Statue of Liberty but explains why he would have preferred to go without it. It takes us into the story of Zaccheus, and what it looks like to settle our debts. But then he pushes further, to invite us in deeper, and find out what its like to get inside someone's life.
Plus, a story from his first preaching job trying to teach a longtime member to joys of sharing.
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Brant finds himself in a bit of a pickle (that's a pun, he starts off with baseball metaphors! Andy would be proud) when he's asked to preach about famed tax collector Zaccheus, since he has had a tempestuous relationship with the IRS, a story which he gets to later.
The real story, though, is the discovery that both Brant and Zaccheus found: how grace changes everything, and how God makes Ministry out of our messes.
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After a continuing rant on the aggravation of Daylight Saving Time (if you weren't here, this continued throughout the whole service), Andy settles in to tell the story of Jesus healing the blind man by rubbing dirt and spit in his eyes. But he also bounces out to show the big picture, and what the story really means for us.
Plus, the time Andy almost went to church with Margaret Thatcher.
John 9:1-7
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To relate the story of Jesus healing the blind man by rubbing dirt into his eyes, Ann relates a story of a woman so trapped by a traumatic experience at school that she found herself unable to shake the experience for 40 years. This sermon is the story of her - and our - redemption.
John 9:1-7
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As part of his '40 Cups of Coffee' during Lent, Andy learns a fun new Charles Allen story about a couple who asked him to pray for their business, and the abrupt turn Charles ended up taking on it. Then, as Andy explores the deeper Christian calling that the returning, grateful leper represents, he talks about his recent travels in Cuba, and what it is like to be given an unreturnable gift, and what it's like to experience real gratitude.
Luke 17:11-19
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Bill looks at the story of the Grateful Leper (Luke 17: 11-19), and examines it from all sorts of angles - what it meant to be a leper in Jesus' time, who these people were, and why it mattered that is was the Samaritan who came back.
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Ann takes a long look at the story of Jesus and the woman who was to be stoned for infidelity, working through it layer by layer. Along the way, she asks us how exactly we got into our own mess - and how we're going to get out of it.
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On his son's 19th birthday, Andy talks about the mixed messages the world sends people about what we're supposed to have together in our lives, and by when. Then, he looks at Ash Wednesday and considers the phrase "from dust we arrived, and to dust we return." As Lent begins, he calls for action and for us to go out into the world.
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In discussing the important in the gospel of dirt, Ann talks about leading the church's creative team through a talk about the dirtiest they'd ever physically been, and how an experience in Haiti changed her. Then she goes in and talks about being spiritually dirty, and how the memory sticks with her. Plus, the reveal of what she gave up for Lent is not to be missed.
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Andy introduces Lent on a misty Ash Wednesday by talking about Houston drivers, temptations at H-E-B, and the importance of following God in the midst of the fog of life.
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Our own Brant Wallace steps to the lectern again to look at Matthew 16, where Christ asks his disciples "who do you say that I am?" The verse leads into a question of discipleship, putting Christ at the center of our lives, and struggling through change to become the rock upon which Christ builds his church.
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Andy makes the case for the importance and necessity of the Church, and the way that changes the world around us. When the Holy Spirit moves in us, things change.
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On the day of the Super Bowl, Andy talks about being able to talk about what does matter as well as we talk about things that don't matter. As we lay out communion, Andy challenges us to accept the table that God has laid out for us "in the presence of our enemies."
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Ann shows us how the twenty-third Psalm is everywhere, from the windows of our sanctuary to the deepest parts of our faith. How do we pass down our faith from one generation to another?
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As we look at Hebrews 12 (the race that has set before us), we get a glance back at Andy as a high schooler, plus a look forward into some of the new things the church is launching in the coming weeks - including a promise to bail members out of jail if things go south. Finally, an offer for 40 cups of coffee over 40 days of Lent, to reach out into the congregation and the community. If you're interested, you can email Brenda Kenney at bkenney@fmhouston.com.
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In a Sunday focused on the "then" from "Then/Now," Ann goes all over the place in history, including two different arctic adventures, Derek Redmond's heroic Olympic race, and the story of one of our own members, 88-year-old Mary Lewis, who was the oldest runner in the Houston Marathon last week.
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Post-sermon, Andy looks deeper into "The Second Mile." That means an look into Hammurabi's Code and the limits of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." Then, he asks the question, "do I want a God who gives me what I deserve?"
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Even after admitting that there's nothing in this verse he much likes, Andy puts a positive spin on the possibility of two of everything. Then he takes us into some difficult places to see what it looks in regular life when people are asked to give their coat, and give their cloak as well.
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To try to explain Jesus' lesson about the second mile, Ann talks about the firm taskmaster who is taking her through recovery from her knee surgery. Plus, historical context!
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Ann talks about her journey to a crumbling 4th-century church in Spain, and how she saw a church operating in both the Then and the Now. Then, she looks at the story of Jesus calming the sea, and also her memories of Hurricane Harvey - and how God calls us to be stormchasers.
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Andy breaks down the early, uncertain history of Jesus' early life, and makes a daring guess that perhaps Jesus wasn't a carpenter after all. Then, it's the story of Jesus calming the storm - or, as Andy refers to it, "the Story of Two Rebukes."
Ultimately, it's a sermon about how the Gospel calls us as Christians to be stormchasers - to come into the storms ourselves, and to calm them.
fmhouston.com
In a sermon simulcast to every other service at our church, Andy talks about the history of the church, having a lack of vision, and looks ahead to the big things God is calling us to in the coming year.
fmhouston.com
Andy comes back from Bamff with a warning about the decision-making process relating to the purchase of ski jackets, which leads into a quick parable about extension ladders, and then quite naturally into the story of Simeon, and the way to live a well-cultivated life.
Plus, a quick encouragement going into the new year, and a story in which Andy lets us know which dumpster in Houston is "his" dumpster.
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On Christmas Eve, Andy talks about the ways that we hear God's voice calling to us, and promises that this next year, he's going to learn a lot more Nigerian.
FMHouston.com
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Why just preach Christmas Eve morning when you can preach Christmas Eve morning in candy-caned striped pants? It's the second year in a row, so it's tradition now. We better get used to it.
Despite the ridiculous trousers, Andy looks forward and looks deep, at the divine gift that is the Christ, and what it means to deliver, and to be delivered.
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Andy indulges in some brief conspiracy theory talk before making his case you can learn a lot more about how to pastor a city from the SWAT team than you can from a lot of church conferences. And somehow, it all ties in with Mary's Song - The Magnificat. Luke 1:46-55
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Ann gets so inspired by Mary's song – The Magnificat – that she called Terry at 10:30 the night before her sermon to see if she could get the choir to sing during her sermon (they obliged). Then she talks about the reversals that happen in life, wanted and unwanted, and the ways that those can change everything.
Luke 1: 46-55
NOTE: This sermon has had a testimony video concerning adopting refugee families for Christmas that needed to be cut out for clarity, since part of the video was in Arabic. The full video is available on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/NsZNWEa8fb4
Before breaking down the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth, and the birth of John the Baptist, and what it meant to an elderly couple to suddenly become the people charged with raising such a important child, Andy starts by explaining by why he started the first service by running frantically out to the parking lot. Then he talks about "Lone Ranger" Christianity, our call to be a rescuer to the refugees - and the tenuous and fraught connection Christians and Muslims have in the modern age.
Luke 1: 8-17
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NOTE: This sermon has had a testimony video concerning adopting refugee families for Christmas that needed to be cut out for clarit, since part of the video was in Arabic. The full video is available on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/NsZNWEa8fb4
Ann talks about the stories embedded on the tapestries at the Vatican Museum, and (not to give away the metaphor) compares them to the interwoven nature of our lives. Then, she talks about why staying connected matters - and also reveals her maiden name, which was a real shock to the people in the control room this morning.
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Ann is so excited for Advent she gets the Wise Men out for the Nativity early. The story of the Magi becomes one of a number of stories of people in Ann's life who seemed like they didn't belong - and the ways it turned out they actually did.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- http://fmhouston.com
Andy couldn't wait an extra week, so we started our Advent series a week early. He's immediately off to the races about what Advent actually is, and how badly we as a people miss the mark. Plus, an exploration of the gluttony of Thanksgiving, and what it's like to attend a truly terrible Cowboys game.
Joel 2:28-32
Links mentioned in this episode:
- http://fmhouston.com
This week, Bill wraps up the Equation series with a look at what Paul told us about gifts, takes us through some of the things he learned as a young and inexperienced doctor, and relates his frustration from a time a church consultant told his church it wouldn't be wise to hold a prayer service.
Romans 12: 1-8
Links mentioned in this episode:
- http://fmhouston.com
Andy wraps up the Equation series by talking about Paul's encouragement for people to accept their roles. Along the way, Andy tells the story of his police ridealong this week, sleeping out with the homeless on Thursday night, and makes a bunch of harp jokes (we shouldn't put props on the stage, it only encourages him).
Romans 12: 1-8
Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com
Andy talks about some of the ways we respond to the powerful experiences that come with being a follower of Christ, including testimony from a member of our church currently in prison. Then, when a congregant tells him that Texas Governor Greg Abbott has asked everyone to stop for a moment of silence (15:20), Andy leads the congregation in that prayer - then talks about his own emotional experience being a pastor in the aftermath of a school shooting (18:26), and how he saw God at work there.
Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com
Ann breaks down the importance of personal experience by considering the life of Paul (8:00), and a personal look at her own dramatic sign that led her into ministry (20:50).
Links mentioned in this episode: http://fmhouston.com
This week, Andy tells some family stories to try to explain the "reason" part of the Wesleyan tradition. He also pitches part of the grand vision of the future of the church, envisioning a new pathway for both contemporary and traditional worship in our church. Plus, he pretends he talks to the Pope, and gives the downtown campus a new nickname.
Galatians 6:1-6
For more info, check out our website at: http://fmhouston.com
This week, Bill delves into his history as a scientist to talk about people's trouble with reason and logic. He ends up deep in space, exploring the mysteries of the cosmos.
It starts with the story of the man who left his servants talents: Matthew 25:14-19
For more info, check out our website at: http://fmhouston.com
Andy asks for answers from the congregation about what one word describes the church, then announces a surprising choice for his own.
Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1-3
To explain Methodist tradition, Bill breaks down the story of the Wesley brothers, tracking them back and forth across continents, and explores the choices that brought us the modern Methodist church.
Scripture: Hebrews 12: 1-3
Andy follows up yesterday's sermon with a more in-depth discussion of the Sadducees story, and explains who this group was, and some of what they believed.
Andy explores the most important part of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, scripture, by telling the story of the Sadducees and their attempts to trap Jesus with a riddle. And, of course, a story about the Astros finding their way to the World Stories.
Scripture: Luke 20: 27-38
Brandi looks into the most important leg of the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, scripture, and outs herself as part of the “Harry Potter Generation.”
Scripture: Luke 20: 27-38
Andy begins with the Astros playoff win from the day before, and moves into an introduction of the Methodist Quadrilateral - the subject of this sermon series.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
Ann talks about the story of "Dear Abby," then launches into a "Dear Ann" segment to explain the Wesleyan Quadrilateral.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17
On a Sunday dedicated to rest and recovery from the difficult events of the past two months, Ann takes us back to the story of Elijah, and his journey to hide in the wilderness.
Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-9
Life On Missions: Values Andy takes us through to the conclusion of the series, where passion and action and habits become our values - and tells the story of how the church is reaching out inside our Refugee Community. Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20
Life On Mission: Values As the series concludes, Bill takes to the pulpit to share his heart for reaching out and helping those who need it most. Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20
Message: Life on Mission: Habit Andy expounds on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, which he announced earlier in the services as his favorite scripture in all of the New Testament. Plus, we get to hear about his experiences trying CrossFit. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Message: Life on Mission: Action Scripture: James 2:14-17 Ann returns home from a trip abroad to talk about missions and orchestration, and what it means to be in sync with God.
Message: Life on Mission: Action Scripture: James 2:14-17 Andy talks about the book of James, and what actions and missions really look like together. Then, Bill Allen takes us on an in-depth look at our Lifeline ministry to the homeless.