Andy Talks

In Luke 9:46–48, right after Jesus speaks of His coming betrayal, the disciples argue about who among them is greatest—a striking picture of human nature. Jesus responds by placing a child before them, showing that true greatness isn’t found in power, rank, or recognition, but in humility and in welcoming the least and overlooked. In God’s kingdom, greatness is measured not by status or wealth—what the world treasures most is as ordinary as pavement in heaven—but by service, love, and grace. Real greatness is found in following Jesus with humility and lifting up those society ignores.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.You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209%3A%2046-48&

In Luke 9:37–45, Jesus heals a boy tormented by a spirit after the disciples could not, and the crowd marvels at God’s greatness—but in that very moment of glory, Jesus warns his disciples that betrayal is near. It’s a powerful reminder that life holds both mountaintops and valleys, and we can’t live only for some distant “someday.” Every day is a gift from God, worthy of gratitude, faithfulness, and love. Like Jesus, who embraced the present even knowing what was coming, we are called to live fully today—cherishing our loved ones, seeking God, and savoring the grace given to us right now.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.You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209%3A%2037-4

In today’s passage, the Transfiguration in Luke 9:28–36, we catch a glimpse of Jesus in his true glory, shining with majesty as Moses and Elijah stand beside him, representing the Law and the Prophets all pointing to him. Peter, overwhelmed, blurts out his idea to build shelters, but God interrupts with the heart of it all: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him.” The disciples almost missed it because they were heavy with sleep, yet staying awake allowed them to see Jesus’ glory — and that’s the call for us too. In the middle of life’s distractions and weariness, we need to stay alert, pay attention, and keep our eyes fixed on Christ, because everything — Scripture, faith, and life itself — finds its center in 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 b

Today is more than just a break from work; it serves as a reminder of the deeper need for both physical and spiritual rest. Scripture illustrates this truth through the story of manna in the wilderness, where God provided for His people and taught them the value of pausing to rest, and in the book of Hebrews, where we are invited to enter God’s rest by trusting in Christ rather than our own efforts. True rest is not simply about sleep or leisure but about laying down the burdens of striving, worry, and self-reliance, and instead finding peace in God’s presence. Just as a parent quiets a restless child, God holds us with His love and calms our weary hearts. On this Labor Day, we are reminded that rest is both a gift and a necessity—time to renew our bodies, refresh our spirits, and embrace the grace and mercy God freely gives 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

In our final sermon from our Three Simple Rules series, we look at Matthew 8:23-27. We see Jesus calm the storm. Where in our lives do we find God?  Build your life around that, and no matter the storm, we will find life.

In Luke 9:18–27, Peter rightly confesses Jesus as the Messiah, but Jesus immediately redefines what that means: the Messiah must suffer, die, and rise again, and His followers must walk the same path by denying themselves and taking up their cross daily. True discipleship isn’t about power or comfort—it’s about surrender, humility, and dying to selfishness so that we can discover real life in Christ. Like C. S. Lewis’s picture of Eustace shedding his dragon skin, following Jesus can feel painful, but it’s ultimately freeing, stripping away false identities until only true life remains. To follow the crucified and risen Messiah is to lose ourselves—and in doing so, to find joy.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.You can re

In Luke 9:10–17, Jesus feeds the 5,000 with just five loaves and two fish, showing that He cares for the whole person—teaching, healing, and providing for physical needs. The disciples felt inadequate, just as we often do when faced with overwhelming problems, but Jesus didn’t ask them to solve it all; He only asked them to bring what they had and follow His instructions. That’s the heart of this story: we’re not called to fix everything, but to offer our small gifts in obedience and trust Jesus to multiply them. In His hands, even our “not enough” becomes more than enough, overflowing with grace.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.You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%209%3

In Luke 9:7–9, Herod is confused by Jesus, hearing rumors that He might be John the Baptist raised from the dead, Elijah, or another prophet. Unlike Matthew and Mark, Luke only gives a brief mention of John’s death, keeping the focus squarely on Jesus—which is fitting, since John’s mission was always to point people to Christ. Herod’s question, “Who is this?” is the right one, because Jesus should unsettle and perplex us; He doesn’t fit neatly into our categories or expectations. Faith isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about trusting God in the mystery. Real faith begins when we stop demanding certainty and instead choose to trust the One who holds the future.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.You can read t

In Luke 9:1–6, Jesus gives His disciples power and authority, sending them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and heal, relying not on their own resources but on God’s provision. This passage reminds us that the kingdom isn’t a distant hope but a present reality—Jesus is Lord right now. Like the disciples, we’re called to live and proclaim that truth in our homes, communities, and workplaces, not just with words but through lives that reflect His love and power. And we don’t go alone—we go together, filled with Christ’s authority, carrying hope and courage into a world that needs to see His kingdom at hand.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.You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=

In our Traditional message from August 24, 2025, Andy shares with us from Philippians 2 12-13. We are called to place ourselves in a position to experience God, and then God will do the rest.  In our disciples, we are faithful, but God does the work!

In Luke 8:40–56, we see two powerful healings woven together—Jesus restores a bleeding woman who had suffered for twelve years and raises Jairus’s twelve-year-old daughter from death. Both were marginalized and overlooked, yet Jesus saw them, touched them, and made them whole. What’s striking is that, unlike in Jewish law where uncleanness spreads, with Jesus it’s the opposite—His holiness flows outward, stronger than sin, shame, or even death. This passage reminds us that no situation is too far gone and no person too unclean for His grace. Whatever feels impossible or broken in our lives, Jesus is greater—and when we place it in His hands, He brings restoration and life.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.You can read t

In Luke 8:26–39, Jesus crosses into Gentile territory—unclean, scary, “off-limits” land for a good Jewish person—and meets a man possessed by demons, living among tombs and pigs, cut off from everything. To the disciples, it was like stepping straight into a nightmare—but Jesus went right to the heart of the fear and brought peace. Just like He calmed the storm, He calmed this man’s chaos, showing that He is greater than anything that scares us. And while the man begged to follow Jesus, Jesus told him to stay and tell his story at home—a reminder that sometimes our calling is to be faithful right where we are. Whatever your “boogeyman” is today, remember: God is bigger.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.You can read toda

In Luke 8:22–25, Jesus calms a storm while the disciples panic, leaving them in awe and asking, “Who is this, that even the winds and waves obey him?” That’s the heart of the story—not just the calm after the chaos, but the question of who Jesus really is. Some of us grew up seeing God mainly as mighty and holy, while others saw him mostly as close and tender—but the truth is, he’s both. He’s the Lord of creation who commands the seas, and he’s also the God who walks beside us in love. Our response, like Kierkegaard said, is “fear and trembling”—awe that such a powerful God would draw so near. Today, remember both sides: pray bold prayers because he’s able, and rest in his calm because he’s with you.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 Go

In Luke 8:19–21, Jesus’ mother and brothers show up while He’s teaching, but instead of stopping, He says, “My family are those who hear God’s word and do it.” He isn’t rejecting His mom—He proved His love for her at the cross—but He’s redefining family to include everyone who belongs to Him. Luke keeps showing us this theme: Jesus expanding the circle, pulling in women, outsiders, and those on the margins. That means in Christ, we’re family—not because of DNA, race, denomination, or nationality, but because we share the same Savior. And like any family, we may fuss, but we’re still kin in Christ. If you share my Jesus, then you’re my family.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.You can read today’s passage here - https://w

In Luke 8:16–18, Jesus says no one lights a lamp just to hide it, but to shine for everyone to see, and He warns us to pay attention to how we listen. In the context of the parable of the sower, this means when God’s Word takes root in us, it grows and bears fruit—but if we ignore it or hide it, even what we think we have will slip away. The fruit Jesus promises isn’t stuff or success, but the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and more—that shines out of us and points others to Him. God already knows everything about us, even our flaws, and still loves us as His children, so why would we hide His light? Today, let’s not keep it to ourselves—let’s shine, because His love never runs out and the more we share it, the more it grows.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 de

This morning in Luke 8:4–15, we looked at Jesus’ parable of the sower and the four kinds of soil — hard path, rocky ground, thorny weeds, and good dirt. Each one represents a different way people receive God’s word, and if we’re honest, most of us have been in more than one category over the years. The goal is to be “good dirt” — to let God’s word take root and grow by tending it daily through prayer, Scripture, worship, and service, just like you’d care for a garden. It takes work and persistence, but the harvest God can bring in our lives is worth it. So today, let’s be good dirt and see what God grows.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.You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lu

As we continue our series "Three Simple Rules," we look at what it means to do good. How do our simple acts of goodness make a real difference in the world? How do they help us build our lives around Jesus? 

In Luke 8:1–3, Luke alone records how women like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna traveled with Jesus and the twelve, supporting the ministry from their own resources. These women weren’t just passive followers; they were essential leaders and the backbone of the mission, remembered by name for generations. Luke’s Gospel consistently shows Jesus valuing those on the margins and recognizing the quiet, faithful servants who often go unnoticed. This passage challenges us to see and honor those working behind the scenes and to remember that in God’s Kingdom, no act of service is too small.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.You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%208%3A%201-3&a

In Luke 7:36–50, Jesus is at a Pharisee’s house when a woman known for her sinful reputation shows up, weeping and anointing His feet. The Pharisee is shocked that Jesus would let her touch Him, but Jesus tells a story to show that those forgiven much, love much. The Pharisee doesn’t see his need for forgiveness, so his love is small, but this woman knows how much she’s been forgiven, and her love overflows. When we remember the depth of God’s mercy toward us, it should make us the most loving people in the world—because we’ve been loved much, we should love much.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.You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%207%3A%2036-50&version=NRSVUEClick

In Luke 7:18–35, John the Baptist, sitting in prison and feeling forgotten, sends messengers to ask Jesus if He is truly the Messiah. Jesus responds not with rebuke but with evidence—pointing to the blind seeing, the lame walking, the deaf hearing, the dead being raised, and good news preached to the poor. Even the greatest prophet had moments of doubt, yet Jesus met him with compassion and assurance. This reminds us that our doubts and struggles don’t disqualify us from God’s love; instead, they are moments where Jesus holds on to us, even when our grip feels weak.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.You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%207%3A%2018-35&version=NRSVUEClic