Sometimes this is a crazy world in which we live. Darryl Worley's hit, "Awful Beautiful Life" is the backdrop for our story today from 2 Corinthians 11, as we look at the life of the apostle Paul - in all it's ups and downs. [NOTE: the quiz I talk about in my intro can be found at http://www.quizony.com/are-you-an-optimist-pessimist-or-realist/index.html?qisrc=main-page]

This new sermon series, GOD & COUNTRY, begins each week with a different country music song as the lead-in to the scripture passage. And we begin with Thomas Rhett's 2012 hit, "Beer With Jesus" as we examine the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). What would YOU talk about, if you could sit down for a drink with the Savior?!? Here's the link to Thomas Rhett's song, "Beer With Jesus": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dphMriny1Js

We all have challenges in our lives. Oftentimes, it's all we can do to see our way clear, one step at a time. But God sees differently. God sees "the bigger picture." Join us as we conclude this sermon seris on "SURVIVAL: Stories of Hope from the Bible," as we examine the story of Elijah & the Widow of Zarephath. Along the way we'll throw in a famous pointillism painting and "Ferris Buehler's Day Off"! 1 Kings 17:8-16 is our text.

Fear. We all live with it. Personal. Family. Professional. It's a part of life. It was also a part of the lives of many of our biblical brothers & sisters faith journey, too. Including Gideon! This less-than-confident man of God was put into quite a predicament when God called him to be a "hero." The best assurance he had was that God was with him. Judges 6 is our text.

"Stand for integrity and God will give you the strength to follow through." That's the message we learn from the incredible story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel. Raised in a foreign land, these three brave young men stood for what they knew to be right. And God was with them "in the fire." Daniel 3 is our text for today.

Civil Disobedience wasn't started by Martin Luther King, Jr, or Ghandi, or even Henry David Thoreau. The Exodus story tells about 5 brave women who stood up to what they knew to be an unjust decree by the Pharaoh. How they did it inspires us to HOPE! Exodus 1-2 is our text today.

Everybody needs a booster shot of hope every now and again. Life is rough. Unexpected things happen. Often we're left feeling discouraged, dejected, and downtrodden. The bible is full of stories like this - but not everyone is left feeling those things. That's what this series is about. Finding hope from those challenging situations in life. Today we look at the story of Hagar from Genesis.

As United Methodists, we are part of a "connectional" church. We are not an individually isolated congregation, but part of a family of the faithful across the world. This week, as General Conference has come to an end, we look at what it means to be connected, as well as what decisions were made in Portland, Oregon on behalf of our entire denomination. Plus, we look ahead to where God is calling us as members of Palmdale UMC.

World-wide leaders of The United Methodist Church are meeting together in Portland, OR right now (May 10-20). This gathering happens every 4 years, and speaks on behalf of the entire denomination. In light of this, we begin a 2-part series called THE ROAD AHEAD. Today we look back at our UMC origins: how methodism got started, and what makes us unique. Deuteronomy 26:1-11 is our text.

What can we learn from our Native American brothers and sisters when it comes to spirituality? How can the book of Job from the Hebrew Scirptures shed light on Disney's POCAHONTAS? Join Pastor Angela Galanis Price as she finishes our 5-week series on "Faith and Disney" with this powerful message!