Andy Talks

In the sermon from our Traditional Service from Sunday, August 2, Andy shares with us from Hebrews 11: 1-3.  Right now the ground under our feet feels really shaky.  Where do we turn in times like this?  

In our Friday morning reflections, we look at Matthew 28:1-10. In this passage, we see that the women find the tomb empty, and they are afraid.  Both the angel and Jesus acknowledges that fear. But they both give the women a mission, something to do, in spite of their fear. 

There are things that we are all afraid of. That is reality.  But, in this moment, we also have a mission. We can't cower in fear, even now. We must be faithful. Courage is not not being afraid. Courage is being afraid and doing the right thing anyway.  Do not be afraid today. Have courage. Be faithful!

Join us for James 4: 11-17!

Today in our morning reflections we read about Deborah in Judges 4.  She is one of the great judges and prophets of the Old Testament, but she would have been easy for many in her time to dismiss. God used her for amazing things.  

Today, who are we tempted to dismiss that God may want to use in powerful ways.  Will we be looking?  Will we see? God will move. Let's join Him.

Today in our morning reflections, we look at Matthew 27:45-54, specifically when the curtain in the Temple is torn.  At that moment, the barrier between the Holy of Holies and the rest of the Temple is destroyed.  At that moment, everyone has access to the Holy of Holies, everyone has access to God. 

As I say often, you don't "need" me to have access to God.  Everyone has all the access they need.  Preachers, we hope to strengthen and help your walk, but you don't "need" us.  My prayer is that when we get back to "normal" whatever that is, we will be stronger in our faith for having worked on it in this valley.

In our Tuesday morning reflections, we look at what happens after Joshua. We see Judges. In this book, the people cycle from sin to captivity to a leader who follows God to freedom, back to sin, over and over again.  They keep falling into idolatry.  

But why? What is idolatry?  Why do the people keep falling back into this sin?  That's what we'll talk more about today.

In our sermon from July 26, 2020, Andy shares with us from 1 John 5.  The inner witness, that is the evidence of God.  You ask me how I know He lives?  He lives within my heart!

Today in our morning reflections, we are looking at Joshua 24: 16 through the end of the chapter.  This is right after the famous passage where Joshua tells the people to pick who they will serve, but he and his family will serve the Lord.  We see the people say that they too will serve the Lord. But what does that mean?  And will they really?  Read more today (and this week) to find out.

This week in our morning reflections, Andy will be looking at the books that shaped him and molded him.  Each day he'll be talking about a different book that is important to his life and his faith. 

These other books have shaped Andy theologically and spiritually, today's books continue to shape him through his own personal devotional life. The Rule of Benedict and the Book of Common Prayer are two texts that Andy uses each day to direct his own personal prayer and devotional life. They are spiritual anchors for him in a world that can seem rudderless.  What, for you, are your spiritual anchors?  

The Book of Common Prayer - https://www.amazon.com/Common-Prayer-Administration-Sacraments-Ceremonies/dp/0898690803/

The Rule of St. Benedict - https://www.amazon.com/Rule-Benedict-Spirituality-Century-Spiritual/dp/0824525949

This week in our morning reflections, Andy will be looking at the books that shaped him and molded him.  Each day he'll be talking about a different book that is important to his life and his faith. 

This book has shaped his understanding of theology probably more so than any other book.  This book lays out the understanding that sin has greatly corrupted all of creation, but the goal and purpose of salvation is to restore what sin has taken and bring about that restored, new creation.  God will redeem and restore not only us but all of the cosmos.  He is working on all of us, through His grace! 

The New Creation - https://www.amazon.com/New-Creation-Wesleys-Theology-Today/dp/0687096022/