Moments with God Podcast: Recent Episodes
Pastor Todd Weber
Moments with God provides a 15-20 minute inspirational message aimed at helping you put your faith into action. We are part of the ministry of Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ, Douglas, WY
For some people, Christmas is lonely, awkward or harsh. It is less than ideal. It was for Mary, the mother of Jesus. This message focuses on finding the thread of joy that runs through the season.
In this special unedited edition of the podcast, we sit down with Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney to talk about courageous leadership. The questions focused on the formation of leadership, defining moments in leadership, faith and values and self-care. We hope this interview is helpful in your leadership growth.
Most of life is unplanned. Angels don't make appointments. Their appearance is unplanned. This message shows what happens to us as we face the unexpected events in our lives. Check out the closing song, I Trust You, by Skip Ewing on your favorite music streaming platform.
A popular maxim states, "Prior preparation prevents poor performance." Maybe that's why John the Baptist came to prepare the way for Jesus. This message helps get us ready to welcome Jesus into our world.
The final sermon in the series focuses on the greatest power of all...love. In the end, all that remains is our love for God and for one another. This message looks at love's biggest enemy.
The second message in the series focuses on the source of our hope that goes beyond positive thinking. Where does our hope come from? How is connected to our purpose? Can you rest in it?
The closing song can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSrpZT-5Abg
Part one of a three part series that looks at faith, hope and love through the lens of gratitude. A life lesson learned from a baseball hall of fame catcher and how a first lady found faith again. When everything else is gone, our faith helps us survive.
The final message in the series focuses on Moses and takes a big picture look at the endings in our lives. Have we arrived where God is leading us?
Life forces a choice between faith and fear. No if, ands or buts about it, committed faith gets rewarded. Living in fear gets us nothing.
The closing song can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZWcaxYNKIM
Do we really need the 10 Commandments? This message explains why we need them in the modern world.
Rescues come about through a leader. God rescued the people through the leadership of Moses. But first, God had to rescue Moses from himself.
God's promises are the foundation of the Old Testament. We wait for them to be fulfilled. It's the "in between" times where out faith is built.
In the beginning, God created. We are created to create. This message argues that we don't have to be artistic to be creative.
The final message in this series reminds us of who we are as Christ's followers taken from the final book of the Bible, Revelation.
There is no such thing as a sure thing. Or is there? This message assures that there is one thing we can count on.
The Vince Gill video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiQhOZ6BE_I
Jesus talked a lot about God's Kingdom. Who is the greatest in it? In this message, the focus is on the attitude required to be great, not just in God's Kingdom, but here on earth.
A part of our spiritual autobiography contains "come to Jesus" moments that define our journey. This messages looks at few of those moments displayed in the Apostle Peter's life.
Every church is the same and every church is different. We are guided by one motto based on the letter to the church at Ephesus. This message breaks down the motto into three parts for easy understanding.
What does our faith say about our physical body? That's a question the early Church asked and the Apostle Paul provides a clear answer. This message focuses on two key things that lead us to honor God with our body.
A look at one reason why churches grow, as demonstrated by the early believers in the book of Acts. You never know where God-inspired boldness will lead.
Here are a few tips to get the most from the Immerse Bible Reading Experience our church is participating in for 8 weeks.
This final semon in the series addresses Jesus' ultimate life question. How we answer it determines why we do what we do in this world.
Dads never outgrow the need to pray for their kids. Jesus cares for dads and takes action on their behalf.
Jesus was always bucking conventional wisdom. He called followers to be different by moving from selfishness to service.
Love always takes the high road. Jesus challenges us to live differently when it comes to love. What do you want to be remembered for?
Jesus spent much of his ministry teaching about prayer. But what happens when you don't feel as if your prayers are answered? That's the focus of this message.
On the rollercoaster of motherhood, no mom rides alone. This Mother's Day message reminds us that Jesus sees what mothers go through.
Being forgiven by God shows up in our actions. Jesus, known for compassion, shows us what forgiveness does.
The song at the end of the sermon is Humble and Kind sung by Tim McGraw.
Have you created Jesus in your image? This message reminds us to put into practice what we say we believe. Those who listen to Jesus grow throughout their life.
Jesus calms the storm, but challenges us to move beyond seeing him as our personal superhero. Where is your faith?
Easter means power to cope with whatever life throws at us. We can know Christ's power daily.
God's power is demonstrated in our life. Do we have eyes to see it? This message focuses on our response to God's activity in our life.
Who are your forever friends? Chances are you made time for them and they for you. This message celebrates the people who will be with us to the end of our life...our forever friends.
Do people know what you think and feel? They won't unless we say what we need to say. Love grows when express our feelings to each other. This message shows the benefit of saying what is in your heart.
There are things that matter more than a paycheck. This message explores the myth of work/life balance and shows what matters most when it comes to the end of life.
This message looks at a part of love we don't talk about much -- loving ourselves. We struggle with not being "good enough" and that can impact our sense of purpose in life.
When God gives you a sign, what do you do? Does it affect the way you behave. This message focuses on our needs for change when we have the opportunity.
Peace is one of our greatest spiritual needs that is met in Christ's birth. We're all looking to center our lives on when we feel fragmented and scattered. Jesus gives us the gift of peace.
When life is interrupted what do you do? Our response reveals what we believe about God and the depth of our faith. Is the impossible possible? That's what this message explores.
This message focuses on love as a verb. It is demonstarted in the nitty gritty of life. It is not rude but considerate.
The "memoir sermon" paints a picture of unaccepting churches, messy churches and accepting churches. God's love calls us to accept everyone, regardless.
Respect in our culture is at an all time low but Christ followers are challenged to be different. Everyone is worthy of respect, so we respect everyone. This messages offers practical ways to demonstrate respect.
Loving others is difficult, but is made a little easier when we understand where they are coming from. Love is empathy in action and it is the focus of this message.
The final message in the series, ends on a joyful note. God has given us the capacity to expand our levels of joy, even in difficult times. This message reminds us to find the daily joy in our life.
We are not made to carry heavy weights. Fortunutately, Jesus invites us to come and find rest for our souls.
A common hazard of the spiritual life are times when God seems far away. Could this be a good thing? This message explains why it is.
What is an old soul? This message reminds us that there are classics that keep our faith deepening as we walk with God through our lives.
How does a soul become bitter? This message invites you to look inside to see if your anger is destructive or constructive.
Our struggle is to pay more attention to our outer world that cries louder than our inner world. But God resides in our inner world, our soul's heath depends on our connection with God at deep levels.
Our life can change in a moment. God calls us to rise up to meet our Divine defining moments. Can you rise up to meet yours?
Our consistent convictions guide our behavior. Daniel's relationship with God was so close that he could live out his convictions and trust God with the outcome. Do you have the courage to live out your convictions?
Sometimes miracles come when we help each other. Even Moses needed help from those around him. No one makes it alone in this life.
John Legend's video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08BEGEmSsgs
This message tells the story of one of the Bible's most unlikely heroes and how her faith was proven by her action.
What do you do when you get weary? Today's message is good news for weary travelers. God has solutions for us when we are weary.
This message focuses on how God speaks to us through women. Deborah is an example of just one of many women God used throughout history to speak to us. Are you listening?
A message that examines the time God pushed the reset button and the person God used to help rebuild. One life, used by God to impact the world. Your life can have an impact too!
Our faith allows us to see God at work in the ordinary days of our life. The key is being aware that God is at work in the ordinary to turn them into the extraordinary.
This final message reminds us that we don't go through crisis alone if we are part of God's larger community. There is strength in connecting with others.
We can't rush a crisis but we can't sit still either. This message focuses on how to respond to God's guidance on what to do next.
Change is the norm. Change, changes our relationship with God. This message focuses on our response in changing times.
Our emotional choices have consequences. What emotional story will we tell when we look back at the crises we've expeirienced?
This final message in the series ends on a positive note with a familiar Psalm that reminds us of God's goodness.
We all need the strength to endure what life throws at us. The good news is that God's strength can be accessed in our moment of need.
One little letter makes a difference between anxiety and peace. This message offers some practical fundamentals for keeping a positive focus.
You can buy this or bargain for it. It comes over time but it is needed quickly. This message dicusses a much needed anchor in difficult circumstances.
There is a better alternative than fear. This Easter message reminds us that God's power propels our courage.
In times of crisis, a greater purpose is often revealed. What are you learning about your purpose during these turbulent times?
What do you cling to in times of uncertainty? Too much optimism doesn't serve us well, but neither does hopelessness. This message focuses on what makes the difference.
We are feeling overwhelmed these days. What do we need to make it better not worse? This message focuses on the quality of wisdom that includes using our head, hands and feet.
This message is a little different. It retells Jesus' parable of the great feast in a modern context and lets the story speak for itself.
Why doesn't God answer our prayers right away? Jesus tells a story that provides an answer.
Jesus' parables have stood the test of time because of their relevance to our lives years later. This message reminds us of God's persevering love that sees our value, even in seasons of fruitlessness.
Material enjoyment has its limits. We're made for more. This message reveals the point of life lived "under the sun."
Wisdom is great to a point. But what do we do when human wisdom fails us? This message focuses on what we do when we don't have all the answers.
Traveling through life is not meant to be done solo. God has our backs in the form of friends and companions for the journey.
You're having fun doing a favorite activity. Is God happy about it? This sermon answers that question.
This series explores the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. This message focuses on the meaning we find in our work and in life.
We get to choose our attitude as we age. Living with optimism and enthusiasm will lengthen our life.
We are all growing old. Part one of a two part series looks at what will make our faith stronger as we age.
It's not "the most wonderful time of the year" for those who have lost a loved one or suffered some trauma this year. This message offers a word of hope to those who are experiencing the sad side of Christmas.
In the noise and activity of the holiday season, we can experience reflective silence that helps us find the meaning in the season.
Who are the important people in your life? This message thanks God and celebrates their presence in our life.
Zig Ziglar famously said that if we see a turtle sitting on top of a fence post, you can bet he didn't get there by himself. The same is true for all of us. We all need help. Who helped you by inspiring you along the way?
Some people just get on our nerves. Is there a way we can be grateful for them? That's the focus of this message.
With our blessings come the opportunity to share them with others. Freely we have received, freely give.
God is the divine artist of our lives. We have talents to share with the world that the world can't do without. Embrace your talents!
Time flies. Are you investing your one and only life in things that matter? This sermons offers a couple of wise uses of our time.
Giving is not about amount but about attitude. We're called to excel in giving our time, talent and treasures.
In this final episode of the series, we focus on our purpose in the midest of suffering on this earth as we prepare for Heaven.
Romans 8:28 affirms that God brings good out of suffering. This message features Jenn Rinn, a member of our church, who shares her story of God's goodness during a season of suffering.
For more information see: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mirandarinnmemorial/
Is God in control of our lives? What happens when death comes knocking on a loved ones's door? This message tries to make some sense out of what we believe about God when it comes to death.
We can't escape suffering, but we are also surrounded by love. This message looks at Psalm written by a fellow sufferer.
We would like to think we won't have to ever suffer, but the opposite is true. This message gives some reasons why we should expect to suffer and what to do about it.
What is your "emotional stance" when it comes to conflict? Peacemakers are desperately needed in today's divisive culture.
What's going on in your inner world? This message looks at getting clarity so that we can see God at work.
There is a 4 letter word the Church says it does. It's what makes a church a church and marks a Christ follower.
Food isn't the only thing we hunger for. This message focuses on the real hunger of our life.
There are many things money can't buy, here's one. The Diamond Rio video mentioned at the beginning of the message can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyOs-RUVa1M
Loss happens to us. When we lose a loved one, where do we find comfort? The second in a series on stress based on The Beatitudes of Jesus.
What do you do when you are at the end of your rope? That's the focus of this message based on the first Beatitude from Matthew 5:3.
The Holy Spirit produces growth in character over a lifetime. What are you producing with your life?
From autocorrect on our phone to lane correction in our car, correction is a part of life. Correction is a vital part of our spiritual life too!
Are you afraid of ghosts? Here's the first message in a 4-part series on the Holy Spirit. We all need help with figuring out where to go and what to do at certain times in our life. The Holy Spirit provides wise counsel that fits us.
Who are the true heroes in our life? What does a hero look like? Jesus gives us a picture in one of His last messages to the disciples.
We've all got fears of something. How does our faith help us face our fears?
The country song used at the end of the sermon can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrYUK1vzCfY
We carry around memories of our mothers that shape us our entire life. Can we really "honor our mothers?"
Meals become markers of good times and bad. There is one meal that Jesus invites us to remember.
Altar in the Field can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQ1xDj8TebM
How can the empty tomb change your life? This message gives an answer to that question by looking at how failure can change our life.
What is your "life?" Death reveals what is most important to us. Is it Jesus or something else?
Jesus came to heal more than physical blindness, but spiritual blindness as well. How have you see God at work in your life?
Jesus practiced solitude many times but for different reasons. He calls us to do the same.
Jesus threatens our comfort with an offer of wellness. What's the one thing you need to do to take responsibility for your spiritual health?
Surprise and shock were staples of Jesus ministry. When others were shocked by him, Jesus shocks back.
The most dangerous word in our mission statement: Explore. Exploring leads to being a church where people experience God's love.
What are we producing with our lives? Jesus talks about one fruit of a well-lived life.
The "lazy days of summer" is only part of the story. Here's the other part to complete the picture!
Sring, the season of renewal is a reminder that God is always renewing things and creating new things in our life. Step up and embrace the new things God is doing in your life!
We are an impaitient people, and that is why a season of waiting is necessary to build our faith. What prayers are you waiting for God to answer?
What lens do you use to view the world? A lesson from the life of Joseph who responds according to how he viewed the world.
This Advent series focuses on the ways God is with us in our daily lives as we prepare for Christmas.
The concluding messages offers one tool that will help focus your energry in the coming year. It's the power of one word.
One year is coming to a close, another is on the horizon. How is God working through your tears and smiles this year?
We're thankful for many things, but here are a few things we may not think about that often.
Mercy marks Christ's followers because Christ was mercy personified. Mercy received is mercy given.
Humility is not humiliation, but an inner choice. There is one telltale sign of a humble person.
Tolerance is not civility. Civility is love in action. Here are some lessons learned while trying to be civil.
For some this is a value that is quickly fading. For Christ follwers, we don't neglect it.
One thread that runs through the Bible is love; God's love for us and ours for people. It's the one value that unites us. We can live with love that is fully charged.
The video mentioned in the sermon can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pnnXrkuvT0
Christ followers don't blend it. We're called to live by a defining set of vales that are the gap between us and those around us. Here's what those values do for us.
God delivers us from evil in surprising ways. Note: This message was recorded in an outdoor venue on a very windy day. Because of this the audio quality is imperfect.
Life = tests. When we are tested, we come to a crossroads. Here are three tests that can wreck our faith and what to do about them.
Those who have experienced God's forgiveness will forgive others.
Wilma Derksen's story is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUwHXR_UIjA
Prayer is struggle. It's a battle between our will and God's. This part of the Lord's Prayer forces us to struggle with 2 questions.
Here's a fresh look at a traditional Christian prayer. We don't allow God to become common, instead we keep God's name holy.
Our wealth is uncertain and limited. It's more enjoyable to give generously than to selfishly hoard. The final message in our money series.
The best way to manage money is to apply God's wisdom to our finances. Here are three pieces of advice from our heavenly father.
Contentment is a matter of the heart, not the wallet. Learning to be content is a lifelong process. Have you learned the secret?
We all need God's help at some point in our life. The good news is that God is always available to help.
How do we handle it when wrongdoers prosper and we suffer? The Psalmist drops some nuggets of wisdom on us.
We all need to sing a happy song of celebration. Today we celebrate the world and the people in our life.
How does God handle our times of sadness? This psalm reminds of God's response when we face sad days.
We want a Jesus who meets our expectations, but Jesus shatters those expectations for something better.
Our negative emotions always resurface in one for or another. Here are some ideas about how to deal with them when they do.
Have you ever felt judged by someone in the church? We're called to be agents of mercy not judgment.
People of faith are all about transformation. Change our habits and we will change our life.
What are you thinking? If we want to change our life, we start by changing what and how we think.
Having one priority is the path to peace. The best stress reliever is a growing relationship with Jesus.
Christmas is God's offer of peace. We don't have to be stuck in an endless loop of meaninglessness because Jesus has rescued us and given us peace.
We live in a society of superficial skimmers. This message, focusing on Mary, invites us to ponder anew where we see Jesus showing up in our life.
God sends attention getters our way so that we will be prepared. Christmas is no different. Are you spiritually preapred for Christmas?
The conclusion of a big project calls for a celebration! Every day we are alive calls for a celebration!
The threat to every organization's mission is competing agendas. Organizations that thrive stay together to accomplish the mission.
One life skill needed in today's world is being able to navigate the inevitable changes that come our way. Here's how Nehemiah helped people do it.
Are you making an impact through your church? Every person's skills matter in a church.
Jesus never said to attend a local church, but He did say, "follow me." For centuries, the Church has been trying to engage people in a mission bigger than ourselves. How engaged are you?
To know where we are going, we must first figure out where we are. This message takes a realistic view of a local church using Nehemiah's 3 steps to help us get where we need to go as a church.
We all want a mission that matters. We want to be part of a church that makes a difference. Here is the story of a leader and people who made a difference.
Grotwth doesn't happen in the comfort zone. To flourish, we stretch towards our potential.
Unfortuanately, we aren't born with self-correction technology like some of today's automobiles. But, we have something better, God's forgiveness and cleansing power.
Bible intake sparks our growth in faith. That's what we believe, but is that what we really practice? Here's a practical message to help you get into the Bible.
Christ followers are people who see things others don't see. We live with an eye on the eternal.
No one gets to where they are in life without help. We all need lifters. A simple story about a little boy and a lost alien with a powerful message that echoes the Bible, "forget yourself long ebough to lend a helping hand."
There is no shortage of evil in our world. Our faith challenges us to overcome evil with good.
We all have fears. Our faith challenges us to take God-inspired risks to face our fears.
Happy Father's Day 2017! Some fathers are easier to honor than others. We honor them, anyway.
Proverbs reminds us that without a vision, people perish. A God guided vision takes us where we need to be.
Welcome to Summer at the Movies! Who we will be tomorrow is a reflection of what we do today.
Concluding message in the series that gives practical tips for loving the people in our life.
Humor won't take away our hurts, but it helps cushion the blow. LOL is a religious experience.
What's your guiding motto for your spiritual life? The first message invites us to identify our mottos and live by them so we can grow in wisdom.
Pain. Suffering. Grief. Loss. Does Jesus give a rip? Today's message answers that question with a story.
The first message in a Lenten series that focuses on the life of Jesus as we move towards Easter Sunday.
The way we think determines how we handle every aspect of our life. Here are some tips to focus on the good.
We all have negative people in our life who can erode out confidence and influence our attitude if we let them. Today's message encourages us to keep those people in perspective.
Complaints? We all have them. This week's text from Philippians 2, challenges us to not allow complaints to stop our joy.
How important are you? It turns out you are very important when it comes to helping others!
We all suffer. Here's some encouragement for the times when you wonder how you are going to make it through seasons of suffering.
Happy New Year! It's a new year. Is God leading you in a new direction? Here's some help from some wise guys.
Basic human kindness is a great thing. But could it be that Christmas calls us to more? Here's Joseph's story.
There are universal laws of life. Here's one from the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
We begin the Advent Season by looking at hope. How will you respond to the Savior who provokes your hope? Note: The Lindsey Stirling video, referenced in the sermon can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VzprYCxPBQ
Thanksgiving 2016. No matter what situation we are in...the good, bad or boring... we can give thanks.
Can we literally forget? Here's a better alternative to forgive and forget based on Ephesians 4:31-32.
Are you ready for God to dump more pain and suffering on you? This week we tackle an often misunderstood verse in the Bible that helps us see the difference between trials and temptations.
We wish we could live happily ever after but life doesn't work out that way. Do you find yourself at the end of your rope? Here is a message to help you hang on.
Tradition! They anchor us to what we believe. Here's the final sermon in the Refreshed series.
Who did you serve this week? Here's a reminder that our service to others doesn't go unnoticed.
What have you learned lately? A lot more than you think! Romans 12:2 challenges us to change our way of thinking. Here are some ideas on how to do that.
Toy Story's Buzz and Woody taught us about friendship in life. In the spiritual life, friendships are important too!
When it comes to spiritual growth we are all different. One person's way of growing may not fit another and that's okay.
This series ends with a message on the 23rd Psalm. God sustains us in life's wilderness.
We have heard people say there is a fine line between love and hate. What's the difference? Could hate be used for good? Join us as we continue with the You Asked for It series.
What kind of God do you believe in? This message responds to the question, "What abouth people who have never heard about Jesus?"
Music has played a part in the life of the Church since the beginning. Music helps us grow in our faith, here's how.
What do we do when our prayers seem to be going nowhere? Our faith is tested by unanswered prayer. Jesus teaches us to persist in prayer, even when answers don't come right away.
What is faith? This message is taken straight from the "Hall of Fame of Faith" chapter, Hebrews 11:1-3.
It's a life principle that small things can make a difference. Jesus teaches us how the obstacles that keep us from where we need to be can be moved with a one small thing.
In the spirit of JFK's classic line, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," here are a few ideas of what we can do as Christian Americans to serve our country.
The first in our summer series, You Asked for It. Got stress? We all do! Here's one positive ways to handle it from Philippians 4:6-7.
Are you growing up or growing old in your faith? We are all getting older, but we're not all getting better. Growth in our faith is a lifelong process.
Why bother coming to a worship service, especially in the summer? Here are a few reasons.
What is the purpose of our church? What we are we trying to do? Here is what we are trying to do as a church.