Andy Talks

We resume our week by looking at the post-resurrection accounts of Jesus and seeing his encounter with Thomas. As you’ve probably heard me say before, I think Thomas gets a bad rap because of his doubt.  Most, if not all, of us will doubt at some point; this teaches us the power of finding faith, even in our struggles. Thomas, though, has to let go of his hurt and disappointment to truly find God’s power. That’s a great example for us as well.  For us to live into the future God has for us, we often have to let go of the past. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.c

We continue looking at Jesus’s post-resurrection encounters, and today we see Him coming to the disciples in John 20. This is one of my favorite passages from John. It talks about the disciples meeting together, but their doors were locked out of fear. I think that’s such a powerful image. How often do we lock the doors, especially the doors of our hearts, out of fear? But even there, Jesus can find us. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020%3A%2019-23&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

This week, we will look at five different encounters that people have with Jesus after the Resurrection. Today, we’ll start by looking at the Walk to Emmaus. In this story, two disciples are walking, and Jesus walks alongside them. They tell Him (Jesus) all that has happened in Jerusalem, and Jesus then unpacks all the Bible, and shows them how it is all pointing to Him. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2024%3A%2013-35&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

In our Easter sermon from our Traditional service, Andy looks at the story of John, Peter, and Mary, and how they came to believe in the resurrection. We don't need any gimmicks. We have the greatest story of all time, as Christians. He is Risen!  He is risen indeed! 

As we wait for Easter Sunday, we take a few moments to consider Holy Saturday. There is no direct biblical example of what happened on Holy Saturday, but in many traditions, this is the day when Jesus “Harrows Hell.” In some versions of the Creed, it says He “descended to the dead” or “descended to hell.” We’ll look at several biblical passages to unpack a little of what that could mean. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here -  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%201%3A%2017-18%3B%20Ephesians%204%3A%208-10%3B%201%20Peter%203%3A%2018-22%3B%201%20Peter%204%3A%206&version

In our Maundy Thursday service, Andy preaches from John 13. Before He goes to the cross, Jesus leaves with His disciples, and each of us, three things. An example of service. The promise of presence. And a new command. 

Good Friday is essential to Easter. We cannot rush through it. We must not rush through it. It is not easy. It is not fun to sit with and in our sin.  We don’t like it. We don’t like that way because of the way that it makes us feel. But if we do not sit with and realize our sin, we cannot truly feel forgiven. Without Good Friday, without the cross, without this, we truly don’t realize or experience the joy, healing, and hope that is Easter. Sit with it today. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2053%3A%201-10&version=NRSVUEYou can w

Maundy Thursday is one of my “favorite” days of the church year. I put that in parentheses because it’s also a hard day. The day Jesus was betrayed. The day the journey to the cross really picks up speed. So, before He leaves, Jesus shows us what matters.  Service. Presence. And Love.  They will know we are His disciples not by our opinions, our politics, or our worship. But by our love. That was His command. Love. And that is how the world will know that we are His. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2013%3A%2031-35&version=NRSVUEYou

As we continue walking through Holy Week, Wednesday marks a subtle but significant turning point. Monday and Tuesday were filled with teaching, challenge, and public presence. But today, we move quietly yet definitively toward the cross. Though Scripture doesn’t give Holy Wednesday a dramatic narrative like the days that follow, it carries a deep spiritual weight. Some Christian traditions even refer to it as Spy Wednesday—a name that draws our attention to the act of betrayal that would set the passion of Christ in motion.Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/p

Tuesday of Holy Week is traditionally remembered as a day of teaching. In Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 23 stands out as one of the most intense and honest teachings Jesus gives during his final week. It is a direct and passionate rebuke of religious hypocrisy, but in the end, we see how deeply He loves even these religious leaders. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2023&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://revandy.org/blog/

We begin our time together for Holy Week by looking at the cleansing of the Temple. This is an interesting story, and also one that can be a danger to us. We see Jesus flip tables and make a whip. It is tempting for us to run first to “that” Jesus. If we are going to be honest, very few of us have the spiritual maturity to run to flip tables. I know that I don't. But what is actually happening here? We’ll take a few minutes to talk about what the cleansing of the Temple is really about, and how this affects our prayer.Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/p

In our traditional Palm Sunday message, Andy shares with us from Luke 19: 28-40. On this Palm Sunday, we see Jesus enter Jerusalem. The energy is eclectic. But the next step for everyone is always the hardest step.

The first line of today’s Psalm is one that most of us know quite well, and it is one that is always associated with defeat. It is one of the last things that Jeuss says upon the cross - My God, my God, why have you forgiven me.  It starts with despair and pain, but when you keep reading, what do you find? You find victory. This Psalm ends with hope for what the Lord has yet to do. So, Jesus was not defeated upon the cross; He was victorious. This is not a Psalm of defeat, but a Psalm of victory! Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2022&a

Today, we’ll start a two-day look at the Psalms. We’ll read Psalms 131-133. These Psalms come near the end of that section of the book. Psalms of ascent are very specific things; these are psalms that were intended to be sung as the pilgrims were climbing Mt. Zion, as they were on the way to the Temple. These are some of the most beautiful Psalms in scripture. The ones we will read today focus on calmness, understanding who God is, and God’s desire for unity. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20131-133&version=NRSVUEYou can watch th

We finish up James with one of its most well-known verses. It’s one of those verses I can’t help but say in the old King James - “The prayer of the righteous availeth much.”  The Bible tells us, in several passages, that somehow, our prayers have an effect on God. How does that work?  How do our prayers change God? I have no idea. But it does make us stop and ask the question. Do we pray like our prayers will make a difference? Do we pray like our prayers really matter?  Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%205%3A%2013-20&version=NRSVU

James gives us some words that I believe are helpful for every relationship.  Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no.”  Mean what you say and say what you mean. Every relationship, from time to time, will have issues with communication. We spend some time today talking through some helpful tools with communication, and then James reminds us once again about the importance of patience to our faith and spiritual growth. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%205%3A%207-12&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form here - https://

Today, we see James’ harshest condemnation of the rich. It is easy for us to hear this passage as a condemnation of the church and all that the church has. But in James’s day, the church was poor.  It has nothing. This is actually a condemnation of those outside the church who are persecuting the church. It’s a good reminder for us to think about what is happening in this text. But this text does force us to ask this question ourselves. Are we being good stewards of all God has given us? Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%205%3A%201-6&am

In our Traditional message from April 6, 2025, Andy shares with us from 1 Corinthians 15: 20-22. All are dead through Adam, but through Christ, all can live. We are more than our failures. We can live because of Jesus!

Today is another day where Jaems feels like Proverbs. James talks to us about two things: judging others and making plans for the future. In both of these, his message is this. You are not God. How can you judge?  You are not the lawgiver.  Only God is the lawgiver. Judging is His domain, not ours.  Likewise, how can you say what tomorrow will hold?  Only God can do that.  This perspective gives us peace; it helps us. It is not all up to us. It is up to God. We just need to be faithful and trust in God for all the rest. Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/pass

James reminds me of a New Testament Proverbs. There is so much good stuff there within it.  Today, we see such good advice about lament and pain; we also are told to resist the devil, and he will flee. We are not bound up in our sins. But the main thing that we talk about is this. What does it mean to say we should not be friends with the world? Yet, at the same time, we are called to be holy. How do we stand against the world while we still love the people who make up the world? Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history. - https://methodisttothemadness.buzzsprout.com/Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he'll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God's Word.If you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up. You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%204%3A%201-10&versi