Andy Talks

In our reading today, we see Jesus feeding the 5,000.  What is interesting though is the reaction of the Disciples when Jesus tells them to feed them.  They can't do it.  Though earlier, they had done many great deeds. Why could they do it in one setting, but not in another?

In our reading today we see two people in desperate need of Jesus' power and healing.  We see Jarius and we see the woman who was ill and bleeding.  In their moment of great need and desperation, they turn to Jesus and they find what they need. So will we.  

In our Monday morning reflection, Andy shares with us from Acts 26:1-18.  This is one of the times in Acts when Paul shares his testimony.  Here it includes a neat line - he kicks against the goads.  What does that mean?  This was a very powerful truth for him, and for us!  

In our message from October 4, 2020, Andy shares with us from Hebrews 12: 1-3.  We are reminded that we are surrounded by a mighty cloud of witnesses.  We can run this race that is before us.  We have been faithful.  We will be faithful.

In our final look at scripture, we give a method of studying scripture called the SOAP method.  Scripture, Observation, application, and prayer.  Today we talk more about this and learn how it can help us better understand scripture. 

In our last addition to our shelf, we add Revelation.  This book is like nothing else in scripture. There are parts of other books that are like it, a type of literature called apocalyptical, but this is only books that a vast majority of this form.  Revelation is written in a code, hard to understand, but it is also a book that is important to us shows us great hope! 

In our study tonight, we look at the first practice that can deeply impact and shape our faith - prayer.

In today's addition to the bookshelf, we look at what is sometimes called the "Catholic Letters."  Remember, catholic in this sense is not talking about a denomination, but it referring to the church at large, all Christians.  These letters are in many ways a lot like sermons, messages sent out to the larger church.  

Today we continue putting books on our shelf.  We look today at Paul's letters.  Paul is one of the most important persons in all of human history.  He gives us these gifts of his letters.  Paul's letters have much to teach us.  They are specific letters to specific persons or church and give us so much wisdom for this moment.  

We continue looking at scripture as a bookshelf, and this week we will be moving into the New Testament.  Today, we begin filling out our bookshelf by looking at the Gospels and Acts. These books tell us the history of Jesus and the church, but so much more.  

In our Sunday sermon, Andy preaches from Judges 2: 11-23 and Hebrews 11: 32-40.  In this message we talk about how some are faithful are well known, but most aren't.  What matters above all is this, are we faithful!  If we are faithful, God takes care of the rest. 

Today we wrap up our look at the Old Testament and the shelves that the different books "fit on."  Today, we look at the prophets.  What does it mean to be a prophet?  The answer to that may surprise you.

In our Thursday morning reflections, we continue looking at the shelves of scripture. Today, we look at the Wisdom literature and how they fit into the rest of the Bible. These books ask the big, important questions, and give us wisdom for the living our lives.

In our Wednesday Night Bible Study, Andy shares with us one of the essentials to a United Methodist and Wesleyan understanding of Christian life - what is often called the Scripture Way of Salvation.  In this study we look closer at prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace.  

Today we continue our look at the shelves of scripture.  Today we are the histories.  These books tell us about the history of the covenant and of the Jewish people.  Many of the stories that we know so well are found here.

In our Tuesday reflections, we start our look at Scripture as a "bookshelf."  We'll start our shelf by placing our first books on there, the Torah, or the books of Moses. These books are very important in understanding the Old Testament and all of Scripture.

In our message from Sunday, Andy shares from Joshua 2: 1-21.  In this passage, we look at Rahab. We see that her faith motivated her to take bold action of faith.  Today, what does our faith cause us to do? 

In the next two weeks in our reflections, we are going to be looking at what is sometimes called "the shelves."  How is scripture organized?  How does it all fit together?  We'll look at the Bible the next few weeks as a bookshelf as we seek to understand it better.

In today's reading, we see a charge leveled against the Christians. They turned the world upside down. What a powerful thing to have had said against you. The world was not the same because of them.  May they say the same thing about us today! 

In our weekly study, we continue looking at the Eight Life Enriching Practices of United Methodists.  The next few weeks we are going to look at some Methodist distinctive.  Tonight we'll look look at the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. This is how we do our reflection.  We start with Scripture and we add to it, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. What this mean and look like?  Join us and learn more.