First Houston United Methodist Church

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. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

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. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

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. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

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 This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

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/ This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

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, 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 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. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

This week, Andy talks about what makes a great leader and listening to God's calling. fmhouston.com

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

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. fmhouston.com

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. fmhouston.com

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. Ask us a question! FMHouston.com/AMA

The children of First Methodist take over this week's AMA questions and to Andy's surprise they didn't hold back. fmhouston.com/ama

Ann and Kaitlyn take turns answering the questions asked by the children of First Methodist. fmhouston.com

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?" fmhouston.com

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?' fmhouston.com

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?' fmhouston.com

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.

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. fmhouston.com

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. fmhouston.com

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. fmhouston.com

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. fmhouston.com

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.

This week, Ann points out that when traveling through the wilderness sometimes you just need to make a u-turn. ----- fmhouston.com

Andy discusses his time in in Israel and his observations on the wilderness Jesus walked in. ----- 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 This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

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. fmhouston.com

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. fmhouston.com

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 fmhouston.com

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.

Ann reminds us that everyone wanders for a time in the Wilderness. fmhouston.com

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. fmhouston.com

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. fmhouston.com

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. fmhouston.com

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. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm