Andy Talks

Today, we see the birth of Sampson. The angel who comes to his family tells them that Sampson is to be a nazirite.  He is to be set apart, no unclean food, no wine, no haircuts. He is to be different from all his neighbors. To be holy is to be set apart. As Christians, especially those of us from the Wesleyan family, holiness is our purpose. But we are to always remember that holiness is not so much focused on actions, but it is focused on love; loving God and Neighbor. What has often been called perfect love. That love of God, shed abroad in our heart, driving us from sin and pushing us to God. 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=Judges%2013

We have seen a lot of stories thus far of well-known judges. Gideon’s story took chapters. But today, we see the story of three individual judges that takes about seven verses.  We don’t know much about them. We don’t know their stories. We don’t know what they did right or what they did wrong. All we know is that they were faithful. That’s all we can be.  We can’t compare ourselves to others, to their stories, to what they do. All we can do is be faithful.  If we are faithful in who we are and who God has called us to be, that is all we can do. God will take care of 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.You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%2012%3A%208-15&vers

Today, we looked at a story about the warfare among the tribes, but it was so much more than that. We see the concept of a “Shibboleth.”  This is a word that certain tribes could not pronounce correctly, thus revealing their true identity. The concept of Shibboleth is a way to know if something is “true” or not. What is your Shibboleth of who is a Christian? We’ll talk today about some historic markers that make one a Christian, and we’ll talk today about some words that Jesus had to say. 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=Judges%2012%3A%201-7&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning a

In our Pentecost sermon, Andy shares with us from Acts 21:1-21. We see that on this day, the Spirit was given to us. The church was born, but within that, the hope of Glory is Christ with us. We each have the Spirit, and we are called to that Good News of Jesus Christ with us outside the walls, into all the world! 

Jephthah is always one of the more interesting stories in the Bible to me. He is a judge who makes a hasty vow that comes at a great cost to his daughter.  This is a cautionary tale to us to be careful of promises and vows. I was raised to take very seriously my promise, and if I promise something, I mean it.  Our vows to God matter.  Let me be clear, Jephthah is no hero in vows. But even in this, we can learn a lesson in Scripture. 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=Judges%2011&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join our GroupMe and receive this each morning at 7:00 a.m. CST. - https://groupme.com/join_group/107837407/vtYqtb

We see the Israelites fall into sin and slavery again today.  We take a few moments to unpack again what idolatry truly is.  It is not a golden calf on top of the TV, or some pagan pole in our backyard. It is the thing that we give our allegiance and security to, other than God. What is the thing, other than the Lord, that we trust in? That is where our idol is.  But then, we see the Lord, when the people repented, free them. We truly do not understand the depth of the Father’s love for us.  You loved today.  Never forget that. 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=Judges%2010%3A%206-18&version=NRSVUEClick here if you'd like to join ou

Our VBS will explore different Road Trips in Scripture, so throughout the summer, in our sermons, we will examine various individuals who traveled with God. Today, we'll look at Abraham and the road trip of faith that takes us, with all of our faithfulness and faults.

We see the story today of two judges whom we do not know much about.  And saying we see their story isn’t really right, either. We don’t see their stories. We see their names and that’s about it. We don’t know anything about them, really. We just know this, they were faithful.  They were judges. They served. They were faithful, but we don’t know anything about them. Being faithful doesn’t mean that we will always be famous or well-known. In fact, many times, it may mean just the opposite.  We should be chasing fame, or fortune, or anything like that. We should chase faithfulness.  That is what God desires from us. That is what God desires for 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.You can read today’s passage here - http

We see the conclusion of what started yesterday with the parable. Abimelech reaped what he sowed. One thing that is really important for us to realize is that as Christians, we do not believe in karma. That is not a Christian concept. It says that we get what we deserve. That is not what we believe. We believe that we get grace, which is not what we deserve. We cry for mercy, not judgment. However, while we do not believe that we get what we deserve, we do believe that we reap what we sow. If we sow love and grace, we will reap those things, and if we sow hatred and malice, we will reap that as well. What are we sowing 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.You can read today’s passage here - https://www.biblegateway.

We see a beautiful parable today about trees and power. In this parable, the trees go to two other trees, the olive tree and the fig tree, and ask them to be their king. But, they say no, because while they do not have power, they have purpose.  They are giving to others, and in that giving, they find purpose. Then they go to a vine and it says now, because likewise it has purpose. Finally, the thornbush, the bramble, says, Sure, I’ll be your king. It has no purpose; it only seeks power. Because of that, everyone will be destroyed. Today, are we living for what we can get?  Or what can we give? Are we trees? Or are we bramble? 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

We see Gideon die today, and while he told the people that he, nor his children, would be king of them, one of his kids, Abimelech, sees the power that could be his if he were king. So, he begins to do terrible things, and even kills his brothers. All in the pursuit of power.  Power is a dangerous thing, friends. But for us as Christians, power does not come from the ways of the world; power comes through service. Through love. Through God’s Holy Spirit. Today, let’s seek after true power. 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=Judges%208%3A%2029%20-%209%3A6&version=NRSVUEIf you'd like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, tex

The people come to Gideon and ask him to be king. He responds in the right way, no, that is not what you need. So, he gets that right. But then asks for golden earrings and makes an idol from these earrings. So, we see here an idol that will trap the people. Friends, there are always idols. There will always be idols that whisper to us. It would be easier if they were as obvious as a golden idol. But they are there, whispering to 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=Judges%208%3A%2022-28&version=NRSVUEYou can watch this in video form her

In our Sunday sermon from May 18, 2025, Andy shares with us from Acts 11 1-18, the Lord pushes Peter to be uncomfortable, and to love people who can be hard to love. Let us not look at the world and see enemies where the Lord sees a harvest. 

Gideon is chasing the Midianites and stops to ask for help. He is refused. No one will give him bread. And this is after being fussed at for not letting a certain tribe come to the battle. We see here that everyone is after their own interests. No one is thinking about how to help one another or how to pull together. They are all only thinking about themselves. We see that remains true in the New Testament, and we see it remains true, even today. Working together is often one of the hardest things we can do. But it is also the only way forward. 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://

We see Gideon’s battle today. But it isn’t what you may expect. First, there’s no battle. Gideon and his troops are standing, blowing their trumpets, smashing their jars, but not fighting. The Lord confuses them, and they actually turn on each other. But what is even more is the Lord culls Gideon’s herd, leaving him with the smallest, the worst, and the weakest of all the troops. There is no way that Gideon can claim he won this battle. It is the Lord. The Lord wins this battle. God is always for the underdog. 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/?searc

Bless Gideon. Over and over, he must have worn the Lord out, because he keeps testing the Lord. He asks the Lord to do this, then to do that. He says to the Lord, If you are really going to do this, then do this. Then he says, Well, do that. Over and over, he tests God. Now, I’m not saying that you or I should do this. But the Lord’s patience is something, because the Lord knows that Gideon’s story was not over. Today, the Lord knows we are human. And He is patient with us, even when we don’t deserve it.  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=Jud

We see more of Gideon’s story. Gideon’s story is our story. Today, we are going to read that he gets it right. He blows the horn, he rallies the troops. He is faithful. Now, yesterday, he didn’t exactly get it right. And he isn’t going to do great tomorrow. But today, he was faithful. We are like that. We are Gideon. Some days, we get it right. Some days, we don’t.  But we are reminded, it’s not about our faithfulness. It’s always about God’s faithfulness to 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=Judges%206%3A%2028-35&version=NRSVUEYou can

Today we meet Gideon. He is called a mighty warrior. He is anything but that.  He is hiding when the Lord comes to him. He eventually does what the Lord wants (after testing the Lord), but he does it at night because he is afraid. But how does the Lord greet him?  As a mighty warrior. The Lord sees something in Gideon that Gideon doesn’t see in himself. The Lord is with him.  Today, as we look back, when has the Lord failed us?  He hasn’t.  He is always with us. Trust Him, even when it is hard.  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=Judges%206%3A

We see in Judges 6 the same pattern we have seen so often thus far. The people sin, and they fall into slavery and oppression. But we see something different today. We see a prophet warn them not to worship the gods of their neighbors. They are told to worship God alone. But the challenge is hard. It’s hard for them to lose everything.  It is hard to hold onto God when things are hard. Faith is easy when it is easy. It is hard when it is hard. We face the same challenges in our lives as well. 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=Judges%206%3A%20

After the victory, we see Deborah and Barak sing. This is a song that recounts the battle that was just fought, and adds some additional context. This is an important thing for us to see in scripture, singing is a vital part of faith. So often in the Bible, something will happen, and the people will begin to sing. We should follow that pattern. The hymns and songs we sing in worship, we are not the audience in these moments; we are the participants. Even for folks like me who do not like to sing, there is something beautiful and holy about lifting up our voices together in song. It really does 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 8101