Darrell Smith Teaching

Wrapping up our current exploration through some of the Genesis narratives, our hosts conclude the journey with one of scripture’s central figures: Jacob. There’s no shortage of takeaways from Jacob’s tales. From wrestling to manipulation and family drama—Jacob’s got it all!

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe or follow the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode.

Enjoyed the episode? Share it with a friend, and leave a rating and review to help us reach more people!

We need your questions! Email [email protected] or visit https://ahumc.org/questions to submit your faith-related questions.

Email us at [email protected] or visit ahumc.org to learn more about Alamo Heights UMC.

Recommended Resources:

‘God Was in This Place & I, I Did Not Know’ by Rabbi Lawrence Kushner

Rabbi Sacks’ Writings on Jacob: https://rabbisacks.org/archive/?s=jacob

The Laundry List – 14 Traits of an Adult Child of an Alcoholic: https://adultchildren.org/laundry-list/

Hosts: Chris Estus, Ryan Jacobson, and Darrell Smith

One of the most shocking stories in scripture is that of Abraham and Isaac. You know the story: In Genesis, Abraham is visited by an angel of God, who instructs Abraham to sacrifice his son. Strangely, Abraham immediately obeys and begins a journey up a mountain with Isaac to do just that.

What do we do with this story today? In this episode, our hosts unpack the context of this wild tale, share its absurdities, and invite listeners to interpret it differently.

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe or follow the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode.

Enjoyed the episode? Share it with a friend, and leave a rating and review to help us reach more people!

We need your questions! Email [email protected] or visit https://ahumc.org/questions to submit your faith-related questions.

Email us at [email protected] or visit ahumc.org to learn more about Alamo Heights UMC.

Recommended Resources:

‘Not in God’s Name’ by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

‘Breathing Under Water’ Chapter 3 by Richard Rohr

“All Directions” Music Video by Son Lux

Hosts: Chris Estus, Ryan Jacobson, and Darrell Smith

What happens when, in Genesis, God looks down and finds a group of people trying to build a tower that reaches the heavens? In this episode, our hosts dive into the story of “The Tower of Babel.” Is this narrative really only about language, or could it be about much more? And what could we take away from the text today?

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe or follow the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode.

Enjoyed the episode? Share it with a friend, and leave a rating and review to help us reach more people!

We need your questions! Email [email protected] or visit https://ahumc.org/questions to submit your faith-related questions.

Email us at [email protected] or visit ahumc.org to learn more about Alamo Heights UMC.

Recommended Reading:

Genesis 1-11

‘Genesis for Normal People’ by Jared Byas and Peter Enns 

Hosts: Chris Estus, Ryan Jacobson, and Darrell Smith

We're no longer kids shown bright, colorful displays of Noah's Ark and cartoons depicting the tale. So, what do we do with the Bible's flood narrative(s)? Should we take the story at face value and not dive deeper for the core of the story's message?

In this episode, our hosts do just that—they dive deeper. Chris, Ryan, and Darrell unpack the flood written about in Genesis, provide cultural context, and tell us why hope—despite a divine disaster that wipes out the world—is what it's all about.

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe or follow the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode. 

Enjoyed the episode? Share it with a friend, and leave a rating and review to help us reach more people!

We need your questions! Email [email protected] or visit https://ahumc.org/questions to submit your faith-related questions.

Email us at [email protected] or visit ahumc.org to learn more about Alamo Heights UMC.

Recommended Reading:

‘The Epic of Gilgamesh’ by Unknown

‘Genesis for Normal People’ by Jared Byas and Peter Enns 

‘Theology of the Old Testament’ by Walter Brueggemann

‘Spiritual But Not Anxious’ by Darrell Smith

Hosts: Chris Estus, Ryan Jacobson, and Darrell Smith

The boys are back! In this episode, our hosts celebrate Chris’ 25th year of sobriety. Chris shares more of his journey while also exploring throughlines between recovery, faith, and community. What exactly can we learn and apply to our lives even if we aren’t in recovery?

Learn more about Recovery at AHUMC here: https://ahumc.org/recovery/

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe or follow the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode. 

Enjoyed the episode? Share it with a friend, and leave a rating and review to help us reach more people!

We need your questions! Email [email protected] or visit https://ahumc.org/podcasts to submit your faith-related questions.

Email us at [email protected] or visit ahumc.org to learn more about Alamo Heights UMC.

Recommended Reading:

‘Alcoholics Anonymous: The Big Book’ by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc.

‘Breathing Under Water’ by Richard Rohr

Hosts: Chris Estus, Ryan Jacobson, and Darrell Smith

The audiobook for Spiritual But Not Anxious is here. It is expected to be available in the next two weeks. In the meantime, you can listen to a free excerpt right here on this podcast.

This excerpt includes Chapters 3 through 6—exploring the difference between fear and anxiety and how anxiety works in and through our religion.

You can order the book on Amazon, Apple, Nook, and Google Play.

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe or follow the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode.

We need your questions! Email [email protected] or visit https://ahumc.org/podcasts to submit your faith-related questions.

Email us at [email protected] or visit ahumc.org to learn more about Alamo Heights UMC.

Recommended Reading:

‘The Day the Revolution Began’ by N.T. Wright

 ‘Faith Lies’ by Darrell Smith

 ‘Did God Kill Jesus?’ by Tony Jones

 ‘Original Blessing’ by Danielle Shroyer

HOSTS: 

Chris Estus, Ryan Jacobson, and Darrell Smith

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe or follow the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode.

We need your questions! Email [email protected] or visit https://ahumc.org/podcasts to submit your faith-related questions.

Email us at [email protected] or visit ahumc.org to learn more about Alamo Heights UMC.

Recommended Resources:

HOSTS: Chris Estus, Ryan Jacobson, and Darrell Smith

DESCRIPTION: Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe or follow the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode. We need your questions!

Email [email protected] or visit https://ahumc.org/podcasts to submit your faith-related questions.

Email us at [email protected] or visit ahumc.org to learn more about Alamo Heights UMC.

Recommended Resources:

HOSTS:Chris Estus, Ryan Jacobson, and Darrell Smith

Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe or follow the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode. We need your questions!

Email [email protected] or visit https://ahumc.org/podcasts to submit your faith-related questions.

Email us at [email protected] or visit ahumc.org to learn more about Alamo Heights UMC.

Recommended Reading: 

What Is the Bible? by Rob Bell

Why the Bible Began by Jacob L. Wright

Speaking Christian by Marcus Borg

Hosts: Chris Estus, Ryan Jacobson, and Darrell Smith