"I'm sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus."

-Philippians 1:6

About the Host: I am Andy Blacksher, and I am the Executive Pastor of Operations at Manchester United Methodist Church in Manchester, MO. I invite you to check out our church online at ⁠⁠manchesterumc.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  And if you're in the West County Saint Louis area, please join our community for in-person worship on Sundays at 9am & 11am or on Saturdays at 4pm.

Sometimes we make plans and God seems to interrupt them? Amen? In this episode, I'll share a bit about a dog on a river and how it taught me about the importance of leaning into the companions that come alongside us.

About the Host: I am Andy Blacksher, and I am the Executive Pastor of Operations at Manchester United Methodist Church in Manchester, MO. I invite you to check out our church online at ⁠⁠manchesterumc.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  And if you're in the West County Saint Louis area, please join our community for in-person worship on Sundays at 9am & 11am or on Saturdays at 4pm.

In this episode I build on Episode 5- Parking Lot Forgiveness and share a story about how hard it can be to let go of the pain people cause us. Then we take a look at how Jesus handled the pain people caused Him and see what we can learn from it. But we have to do the work because living into an inclusive and expansive vision for God's love has no room for unforgiveness. NOTE- Listen to the end for my thoughts on boundaries after forgiveness.

About the Host: I am Andy Blacksher, and I am the Executive Pastor of Operations at Manchester United Methodist Church in Manchester, MO. I invite you to check out our church online at ⁠manchesterumc.org⁠⁠⁠⁠.  And if you're in the West County Saint Louis area, please join our community for in-person worship on Sundays at 9am & 11am or on Saturdays at 4pm.

The phrase "got to" and "get to" are just one letter apart- but these phrases carry an entirely different emotional weight. Changing one letter can help you change your outlook.

About the Host: I am Andy Blacksher, and I am the Executive Pastor of Operations at Manchester United Methodist Church in Manchester, MO. I invite you to check out our church online at manchesterumc.org⁠.  And if you're in the West County Saint Louis area, please join our community for in-person worship on Sundays at 9am & 11am or on Saturdays at 4pm.

You and I are always coming into the middle of other people's stories. Every word we speak, say or write... every action we take intersects with something in the middle of someone else's story- this is what it means to be human. Love requires that we tread lightly with others in grace and humility.

About the Host: I am Andy Blacksher, and I am the Executive Pastor of Operations at Manchester United Methodist Church in Manchester, MO. I invite you to check out our church online at manchesterumc.org⁠.  And if you're in the West County Saint Louis area, please join our community for in-person worship on Sundays at 9am & 11am or on Saturdays at 4pm.

How well do we really live, as the Apostle Paul put it, "in a manner worthy of Christ's gospel?" What percentage of your life would you say is characterized by the words patience, trust, and grace?

About the Host: I am Andy Blacksher, and I am the Executive Pastor of Operations at Manchester United Methodist Church in Manchester, MO. I invite you to check out our church online at manchesterumc.org⁠.  And if you're in the West County Saint Louis area, please join our community for in-person worship on Sundays at 9am & 11am or on Saturdays at 4pm.

It can be easy for me to get busy doing life and forget to see the beauty all around me. What about you? Do you see the "Holy Ground" moments all around you?

About the Host: I am Andy Blacksher, and I am the pastor of Faithbridge United Methodist Church in Osage Beach, MO.  I invite you to check out our church (including mission work and worship services) online at ⁠⁠www.forthelake.org⁠⁠.  And if you're in the Lake of the Ozarks area, please join our community for in-person worship on Sundays at 9:30am.  Worship is a great starting place to get to know the congregation and find ways to get involved in our community!  

It seems like having a relationship with God ought to keep you from experiencing hardships in life. However, Jesus never promised that our lives would get easier. So often it is the moments that we know God is working in our life that require an even greater level of trust in God.

About the Host: I am Andy Blacksher, and I am the pastor of Faithbridge United Methodist Church in Osage Beach, MO.  I invite you to check out our church (including mission work and worship services) online at ⁠⁠www.forthelake.org⁠⁠.  And if you're in the Lake of the Ozarks area, please join our community for in-person worship on Sundays at 9:30am.  Worship is a great starting place to get to know the congregation and find ways to get involved in our community!  

There are so many times in life where we'd rather jump over the painful part and just get to "the good stuff!" But shortcuts are rarely good in our daily life and they're never effective in our relationship with God.

About the Host: I am Andy Blacksher, and I am the pastor of Faithbridge United Methodist Church in Osage Beach, MO.  I invite you to check out our church (including mission work and worship services) online at ⁠⁠www.forthelake.org⁠⁠.  And if you're in the Lake of the Ozarks area, please join our community for in-person worship on Sundays at 9:30am.  Worship is a great starting place to get to know the congregation and find ways to get involved in our community!  

One more note:  If you are loving this podcast and you'd like to say thanks, I would love it if you would buy me a coffee!  Here's a great way to do that:  ⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/standingshoeles⁠⁠  Thank you for all the support!

My boys are among my most valued treasures in my life. Still, it can feel like a juggling act some weeks trying to give them all of the personal attention they deserve when there are so many other people and things that are clamoring for my attention. Do you ever feel like your life is a bit out of balance?

About the Host: I am Andy Blacksher, and I am the pastor of Faithbridge United Methodist Church in Osage Beach, MO.  I invite you to check out our church (including mission work and worship services) online at ⁠⁠www.forthelake.org⁠⁠.  And if you're in the Lake of the Ozarks area, please join our community for in-person worship on Sundays at 9:30am.  Worship is a great starting place to get to know the congregation and find ways to get involved in our community!  

One more note:  If you are loving this podcast and you'd like to say thanks, I would love it if you would buy me a coffee!  Here's a great way to do that:  ⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/standingshoeles⁠⁠  Thank you for all the support!