Andy Talks

In our Wednesday Night Live Bible Study, we finish the study of our book Eight Life Enriching Practices of United Methodists.  We finish up by talking about how it is that we can share our faith.  

Today we continue our deeper look at Mary's Magnificat. Mary's song of praise has some very specific promises, hopes, and memories.  We can learn a lot of hoping, dreaming, and joy from looking at this powerful passage.  

Today we continue our deeper look at Mary's Magnificat. We look deeper at this passage and look deeper at the World of the Text. What is actually on the paper?  What does this beautiful song of praise teach us about God's love and grace? 

Today we continue our deeper look at Mary's Magnificat. We look deeper at Luke's Gospel and the theme that he focuses on in his Gospel.  Luke has a way of highlighting the folks that others forget.  What can that teach us? 

In Advent, we will be using the beloved song "O Holy Night" as our guide, as we look at different verses and passages of Scripture. In our Traditional Sunday Sermon from November 29, 2020, Andy preaches from Hosea 14: 1-9 and "Long Lay the World."  

This week we are going to be looking deeper at the Magnificat, Mary's song of praise in Luke 1: 46-56.  Today we take a moment and consider why Mary is so important and see what we can learn from her example of faith.  

Happy Thanksgiving!  Today we have a brief reflection on 1 Chronicles 16:34 and some homework.  Give thanks to the Lord!  He is good and His love endures forever.  This is your homework.  Name, out loud, what and who you are thankful for.  And if you can, contact that person and tell them that you are thankful for them! 

Today as we look at Hosea 14: 1-9, we look at the world in front of the text.  What does this prayer of confession for the Jewish people, at this moment in their life mean to us? What can we learn about where our hope and life come from? How can this change how we live? 

Today we look closer at Hosea 14.  We find that this passage is a prayer of confession to God for the sins of the people. What sins have they committed?  How have they turned from God?  What can this show us about our own lives?  

In our Traditional Sermon from November 22, 2020, Andy shares from Matthew 25: 31-46.  In this passage we look at what it is like for Jesus to be King.  We learn to encounter Jesus under the mask of poverty, need and humanity.  May serve Jesus and commune with Jesus.  

This  week we are going to be looking at Hosea 14:1-9.  Today we look at the world behind the text.  Hosea's story is an interesting one, a beautiful story of grace, mercy, and love.  Today we look at what's happening behind the scenes.  

Today as we finish our look at Matthew 25: 31-46, we ask ourselves this question.  What can we do? What can we do to help?  How can each of us, in our own lives and in our own ways, work to care for the least among us? We've been given so much.  How can we help? 

Today as we look at Matthew 25: 31-46, we look at the World in Front of the Text. What does this passage mean for us?  What does it look like for us to live as though Christ is King?  How should this cause us to change how we live our lives and how we treat the poor and the frail among us? 

In our weekly Bible Study from Eight Life Enriching Practices of United Methodists, we look at the practices of serving our neighbor.  How can we serve our neighbor as we serve Christ?  And what can this service do both for them, and for our faith. Here are some helpful ways that you can serve: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Kwlb-Fkkv8x19O5aVyFPYDaVdGI_B0azzmQUBgjJhvc/edit?usp=sharing

Today in our reflections, we look at the World of the Text of Matthew 25: 31-46.  What is happening on the actual page in front of us. We talk about sheep and goats, about hospitality and loving others and about how if we talk this passage seriously, how we treat the poor will have some effect upon our eternity.  

Today we look deeper at Matthew 25: 31-46.  Today we look at the world behind the text.  What is happening in the greater context of this passage. What do the stories all around this passage show us about faith and accountability?  

Today as we start our week of looking at Matthew 25: 31-46, we talk about the Christian Year and how worship is organized.  We specifically talk about this Sunday, Christ the King Sunday. What would it look like if we realized that Christ was king now? 

Today in our Traditional Service, Andy looks at Psalm 90.  In this passage we are told to count our days. What does it mean to consider how brief our lives are in the scope of eternity.  How can this lead us to wisdom? 

Today as I think about Psalm 90 and how brief life is, I think about what I would tell my younger self if I could.  I used to run so hot and the things I worries about were of no importance in the light of eternity.  Our passions and energy matters.  Let's use them on what truly counts.  

Today we look deeper at Psalm 90, specifically at the world in front of the text.  What does this passage have to do with how we live our lives today?  When we consider our lives, and what a gift each day is, how do we keep from wasting it?  What is the right path for us to walk?