Whittier First UMC's Podcast

When our hearts are heavy with fear and panic, we turn to the Lord to be our hope and salvation!  Let us empty our hearts from the burdens that do not belong there.  Instead, with a child-like faith, we find our spirits renewed in God's love!

Water brings everything to life; we need it to live and for the world to exist!  For our souls, we need more than just physical water.  Jesus said his truth and message will satisfy the deep longing of our hearts.  Plus, this living water is for everyone!  Are you thirsty?

There cannot be security without brokenness or satisfaction without hunger. The journey to the promise land is through the wilderness.

We are all in a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage of the heart, to find connection with God and each other. The cry of our hearts is ”Show Me Your Way O Lord” (Psalm 25:4). In this journey we must learn to listen to the God who is already instructing and guiding us on this path. As Henri Nouwen says, “Praying is first and foremost listening to Jesus, who dwells in the very depths of your heart. He doesn’t shout. He doesn’t thrust himself upon you. His voice is an unassuming voice, very nearly a whisper, the voice of a gentle love."  Will you join us in this journey?

When was the last time you talked to God? When was the last time God talked back? The Lenten season calls us into "conversations" with God—not just one-way petition prayers, but an open heart and quiet mind that allows the still, small voice of God to come through. How do we carve out sacred space to hear and study the Living Word during these 40 days and beyond? And just what might God have to say if we really listened?

All You Need is Love’ sung by The Beatles, is more true today than ever.  In this isolated & lonely world we have the power to share this love by extending attention & affection to each other: a handshake, fist bump, hug, embrace, kiss on the cheek, etc. What sustains us in this world is the love of Christ; let us share the love!

Do you remember how it felt when you were a child, and someone stronger held you in their arms? Do you recall that feeling of knowing that your parent or family will take care of you? As children of God, may we come to know God's abundant grace and generosity in a new and fresh way!

There is a possibility that every person we encounter has something to offer us: a blessings, a lesson, a gift.  If we stay open, perhaps we will also see the face of Jesus in each person. Christ serves us; let us serve as If we are serving Christ directly!so

What ever we do in life, we take baby steps first. From learning how to walk to learning how to use a walker, it takes practice & patience. It is the same with following Jesus. We practice, practice, practice until we can teach others about God’s love.

In speaking about “Passionate Worship”, the shift from an event-even performance-to an experience, I borrow the words of Bishop Schnase, the author of Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. ‘Worship describes those times we gather deliberately seeking to encounter God in Christ. We cultivate our relationship with God and with one another as the people of God. We encounter a fresh vision of God’s reality in Christ so that God’s Spirit can reshape our lives and for us into the Body of Christ.