First Houston United Methodist Church

As we enter into the Lenten season, Andy talks about how to avoid letting the devil get a foothold in our life - and it starts with surrendering. Plus, the results of Andy's Facebook poll on what he's giving up for Lent. fmhouston.com

Andy rounds out this 'Lifehack' sermon series by reminding us that sometimes a lifehack isn't always what it seems and that sometimes it might be Jesus 'hacking' into our lives to help us live out God's and Jesus's hope for us. fmhouston.com

Ann reminds us that Lifehacks are about decreasing chaos in life by making things easier in a number of possible ways, most notably spending less money. But at the same time, sometimes it's nice to rely on items or companies that have stood the test of time, for they have survived for a reason. fmhouston.com

Responding to an article discussing how experiencing awe is good for you, the gang discusses whether it’s possible to force experiencing awe, and the benefits of religion. Plus, Andy and Ben bicker over whether “Bohemian Rhapsody” is a good movie or not (it isn’t!), Kaitlyn picks her Best Picture winner, and Ben makes the case why you should see “Roma.” (https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/why-scientists-say-experiencing-awe-can-help-you-live-your-ncna961826) Send in a question! FMHouston.com/AMA.

This week, Ken discusses getting caught up in the harshness of the world. Lifehacks are about adding convenience to our own personal lives, but Ken reminds us to be careful that the hacks don't hurt others. fmhouston.com

The group takes on their very first question - one they have put off for MONTHS - and go into exploring the Biblical accounts of the Nephilim. But, to their surprise, it ends up being one of their most fun conversations! Plus, by the end of it, Andy has rebranded himself as a Millennial, so you know things have gone off the rails. Send in a question! We’re desperate for more questions. You can reach us at FMHouston.com/AMA.

Andy reminds us that Jesus is a light in darkness, and by accepting Him, we can shine His light and be a beacon to others. fmhouston.com

Kaitlyn returns, and we celebrate by giving her a question she absolutely does not want to answer. But once the group starts to take the question seriously, everyone is surprised to find that they have a lot to say. Also! This question is a plea to please send in more questions! Any sort of question. We've answered a lot of questions about human sexuality and we would like to talk about something else! FMHouston.com/AMA.

As the scripture says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," so Ann tells us about a turning point in her life involving the power of word. fmhouston.com

Andy showcases the proper way to dice an onion, because knowing the proper way to do a task makes your life easier. Just like knowing the proper way to dice an onion, using the right words can make life not just easier, but sweeter as well. fmhouston.com

The group discusses the tragic death of young missionary John Chau, who traveled to try and convert the Sentinelese people and was killed for his efforts, resulting in an online firestorm centered around martyrdom, American exceptionalism, and the role mission organizations are supposed to play. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

With today being the Super Bowl, Andy starts off the sermon by turning to the Bible to predict the game's outcome. For the main point, Andy says that it takes us two steps to receive Jesus's promise to ease our burdens, and many people do one, not both. fmhouston.com

'Lifehacks' are things that people have found to help make life less stressful and remove chaos. One physical example Ann says is to use a simple plastic straw to core a strawberry. And what better 'lifehack' is there than to accept and put Jesus in your life? For he promises a release from your stress and help with your burdens. fmhouston.com

After a Source In The City talk about how we, too, are creators, someone wants to know what the group’s favorite things are that are made for the glory of God. The list spans the globe, covers all genres, and at one point Andy makes a pun so bad Ben covers his head in his hands and can’t go on. Got a question for us? Or feedback you’d like to give? Hit us up at FMHouston.com/AMA. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

This week, Andy discusses how people are more open to changing their paths the hungrier they get; whether physically hungry while on a long bike ride around Houston, or metaphorically hungry for Christ's presence. fmhouston.com

Today, Ken discusses what it takes for a church to flourish. -- fmhouston.com

Every is back from vacation! It's time to sit down and take a question on where we (as a church? as individuals? It wasn't clear, so we answered both) give our money, and how we're supposed to decide such a thing when there's so many places in need in this world. FMHouston.com/ama

Today is the Houston marathon, and Andy takes this opportunity to talk about life's varying moments. To the runners, a marathon is a big moment, but it requires a huge amount of small moments - small moments that mean discipline. fmhouston.com

Ann points out that people can have multiple joys throughout their day, and the source of these joys can come from an abundance of sources, some unexpected and some even through repetition. -- fmhouston.com

This week's question asks, "When choosing a worship service, is it more important to be filled by the people in attedance or the worship itself?" Andy, Brandi, and Ken give some guidelines on what to consider when "church shopping" and discuss some misconceptions about what worship should be, while also venturing down a rabbit hole to examine what the idea of being '"fed" by worship really means. Ask us a question, or send feedback! FMHouston.com/AMA

Andy reminds us that generosity and being open to others allows us to also be open to God and Jesus. He also says that taking time to slow down creates more space to know God in a deeper and more meaningful way. -- fmhouston.com

This week, Ann finds a quote that breaks down being a disciple and tells her journey within the church. -- fmhouston.com

Andy and Brandi kick off the new season by hijacking this week's AMA question and discussing the importance of generosity, while also tackling the classic question "why do bad things happen to good people?" Ask us a question, or send feedback! FMHouston.com/AMA

Andy rings in the New Year by mentioning his plans and goals for the church. He casts a vision for the future of the church: supporting youth ministry, providing events to bring in the community, and staying with the times. -- fmhouston.com

Now that we're past Christmas, Brant and Ann remind us that it's our duty and 'privilege' as Christians to spread the good news of Jesus' birth while also celebrating Brant's son's baptism. Brant also provides a breakdown of Isaiah's writing; who heard it and what was happening in their lives' when Isaiah preached to them. FMHouston.com

Andy looks back on the year, from baptisms to putting ash on the forehead of people in passing cars, and reflects on who God really is - that he is not, in fact, a drive-by God. That he is here, and he is here eternally. FMHouston.com

While shopping for bikes, Andy finds himself discussing what it means to be a pastor with all that's going on in the world with the bike salesman. Andy talks about how Christmas is a very simple story. At its roots, the story is simply that the baby Jesus came to bring us peace. -- fmhouston.com

This week, Ann contemplates where she can go to find peace in today's world. -- fmhouston.com

The question has been asked before, but there’s still a lot to unpack - what is it that’s necessary to believe in order to not be a heretic? And what do we need to keep about the Christmas story? The group gets into common misperceptions and the way our misinterpretation of the Christmas story doesn’t mean we’re getting the point of it wrong. Here’s the article Kaitlyn mentions. (Link: https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/2018/december/putting-christ-back-in-christmas-not-enough-nativity-americ.html) We’ll be back in a few weeks! Ask us a question! FMHouston.com/AMA This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

In this week's short homily, Ann discusses "reversals" and an impromptu soccer match that happened on the front lines one Christmas Day during World War I. -- fmhouston.com

After referencing John Wesley last week, a new listener asks about the importance of Wesley, and whether the group could give him a starting point on Wesley's ministry and sermons. Unsurprisingly, Kaitlyn and Brandi are INCREDIBLY excited about this prospect. Ask us a question, or send feedback! FMHouston.com/AMA Here's links to the sermons referenced in this podcast: On Working Out Our Own Salvation (link: http://spokanevalleychurch.org/core/files/spokanevalleychurch/uploads/files/Wesley's_On_Working_Out_Our_Own_Salvation_Both_Versions.pdf) The Scripture Way of Salvation (link: https://www.umcmission.org/Find-Resources/John-Wesley-Sermons/Sermon-43-The-Scripture-Way-of-Salvation) This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

The amount of stories that are all the same is vexing Andy, and he complains about how every movie he goes to seems the same. But then he shows us how the story of Christmas is the Hero's Journey - the simple story, the same story told over and over again, of hope lost and found again. FMHouston.com

As he looks at the Christmas season, Brant considers what he calls "One-Dimensional Gifts" - simple gifts that don't last very long. He warns us that when we begin to look at Jesus' birth one-dimensionally, we miss a lot of what makes this season so special. FMHouston.com

A woman who had a profound experience in which a stranger told her that she had seen Jesus walking besides her wanted to know: do we believe in angels? Do we think that the person she met could have been an angel? It’s a question that group hadn’t considered before, and so there’s discussion of the nature of angels in scripture, the presence of the Divine in every day life, and how American culture affects what we think we can and can’t believe. Ask us a question, or send us feedback! This, plus every AMA episode, is available at FMHouston.com/AMA.

Andy talks about what it takes to prepare your heart for Christmas - what it takes to truly celebrate Christmas well. What if, these last 30 days of the year, we chose to live our lives wholly as servants for Christ? FMHouston.com

So much of our Christmas traditions involve waiting - traditions that echo the long waiting that came before the first Christmas, the waiting for the coming of the Messiah. FMHouston.com

This episode’s question comes from Ben’s mom, who wants to know what to do when you pray for a very long time for something that’s in God’s will, such as a family member coming to faith – and yet it never happens. Ask your own question – reach us at any time at FMHouston.com/AMA. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm

In Philippians, Paul tells us that we are not to be anxious about anything - but our anxiety as Americans keeps increasing. 39% of people say they are more anxious today than they were a year ago. And, as Brandi tells us, that means that the church has a problem. Philippians 4:4-9 FMHouston.com

As Christmas season kicks off, Andy talks about all of the things that could be worrying him, if he let them. As he takes a look at the gentleness that Paul pushes us towards in Philippians, he shows how gentleness pushes worry away. Plus, his kids are back in town, so that means stories. Philippians 4:4-9 FMHouston.com

Last week’s letter-writer, James, follows up with further queries, and after boiling them down to a few simple questions – “does the Church have a moral imperative in regards to homosexuality? Is it really a choice between following the law and loving people?” and “are we being deliberately wishy-washy so as not to offend certain groups?” Then, the crew tries to take them on. Plus, in honor of Thanksgiving, a dive into why gratitude is so important! Ask us a question! You can reach us anytime at fmhouston.com/ama.

Kaitlyn "nerds out" by walking us through James Fowler's Stages of Faith, and talks about the place that a lot of Christians get stuck at. But because Kaitlyn is nothing if not practical, she walks us through the journey step-by-step, and gives us some heavy questions to consider as we go on our way. FMHouston.com

On Veteran's Day Weekend, Andy looks back on his grandfather's military service, and considers what a life of service looks like. A conversation with a Blue Angel gives him the message that "courage and faith go hand-in-hand." As he looks at his marriage, he sees the opportunities Jesus gives us to live a life of humility - and explains why living humbly is actually the easier path. FMHouston.com Philippians 2:12-13

The crew responds to a question with a ton of layers to it, covering Old Testament law, divorce, homosexuality, and about half a dozen more things. It’s a conversation about how to talk about religious beliefs when you’re not in lock step, and what Christian debate should look like. Ask us a question! You can reach us anytime at fmhouston.com/ama.

Andy sits down with Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo to talk to him about his faith, the role of community in the city of Houston, and the realities of police work. What happens next is a forthright and honest conversation about our city, and what policing it really requires. FMHouston.com

Ann considers the church at Philippi, and how Paul wrote them a letter from a tiny cell - but it was a letter of great joy! Then Ann considers the things that stunt our Christian joy, and how so many have it despite living lives of pain and struggle. FMHouston.com

The group is back together! Andy, Brandi, Kaitlyn, and Ben break down a couple different questions from listeners - first, they deal with the context of what "he who does not work shall not eat" means, and Brandi throws out some Greek translation off the top of her head. Then, someone who can't make it to church on Sundays because of work asks what to do about their predicament - where should their loyalties lie? Ask us a question, or respond back to the podcast! Reach us at fmhouston.com/ama

Brant immediately announces his intention to get controversial, and requests that if you have any problem with it... that you should email Andy. Then, he gets deeply personal, telling the story of the struggle he and his wife had to get pregnant, how he stayed in prayer over it for years and years. He had to learn how to find hope. His father is battling cancer, and has been for years... and he had to learn how to find hope. Brant reminds us that without stepping out into a difficult world, we cannot hope to enact change. We have no chance of finding the abundant life Christ offers us. FMHouston.com

On a special episode, Dr. Terry Morris takes us through Brahms' Requiem, exploring its roots, the deep emotion behind its creation, and various motifs and styles that float in and out throughout the composition. Plus, stories from his turn as a villanous preacher in Susanne, and the time he shocked an audience full of Baptists so much they had to change the lyrics to one of the songs the next night. FMHouston.com

This week, Kaitlyn and Ben are joined by First Methodist Houston's own [Dr. Ashley Sanford], to sit down to discuss the often-ignored importance of mental health in our lives, and to discuss the stigmas behind mental health and our faith. Ask us a question! We can be reached at any time at FMHouston.com/AMA [link to: fmhouston.com/ama]

Andy took a trip to the symphony to see legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, and the encounter got him thinking about the story of Rahab (it makes sense, we promise). The story of Rahab is "a fantastically messy story" - but when we look at our lives, they're messy, too. But God wants all of us to make it. No matter how dark it's been, God has a plan for us. But we need to hear what Christ is calling us to do today. fmhouston.com