The Source Houston

This week the group breaks down the “insider language” in the Affirmation of Faith and the history behind it. Should the Methodist church follow suit like other churches and change the language to be more easily understood or should we bide by tradition? Brandi shares her favorite new creed. thesourcehouston.org

Brandi asks us what our lowest point is. It is there where living water seeks you. The water Jesus offers flows towards your most wounded place, to fill you, to heal and replenish you.  thesourcehouston.org

The group discusses what to do when you experience the restlessness of feeling like you’re not doing enough. A surprise gift for Ben inspires Andy to send us off in an unprecedented way. For the curious mind: Below are the links to the material referenced in this episode. Far Side Cartoon: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a5/ed/03/a5ed0391108aa830e4c8aabfe2fea3d9.png Ted Loder - Guerrillas of Grace:...

This week Brandi reflects on the power of empathy. She tells us Jesus weeps with those who weep. Empathy is a vulnerable choice, we must take steps to go into those places where there is pain. It's the work of the church to help unbind those who are suffering and set them free.  thesourcehouston.org

The group tackle questions about heaven, what it looks like and who/what we’ll find there. Andy shares what his heaven would look like. Ben and Donyale try to keep Andy’s puns at bay. Got a question? Reach us at FMHouston.com/AMA and let us know!  thesourcehouston.org

What would it look like to aim at the kingdom of God? Brandi launches our new sermon series on missions. She asks us to open our eyes and recognize the needs of our neighbors, not to wait for someone else to step up. She invites us to partner with the Holy Spirit to bring light to those around us. thesourcehouston.org

The group takes a look at "Red Letter Christians," whether we're qualified to translate what we read in the Bible, and the various slants that individuals take on Scripture. Thoughts? Questions? Ask away: FMHouston.com/AMA

This week's story is from the night Peter denied Jesus three times in the hours before his death - a story about fear and losing faith, and one that somehow leads Brandi to talk about cognitive bias and the Dunning Kruger effect. And why not? thesourcehouston.org

The group debates the two messages the Bible seems to send about money - one about giving a portion of your money, the other about giving up all you have to join the church. Which one applies to us? And are we thinking the wrong way about our money? thesourcehouston.org

Today's scripture tells the story of Pontius Pilate, who when faced with a difficult decision gave into the pressure to crucify Jesus. When we can make decisions to remain idle or just serve our self interests we can't do the justice that God requires of us. Donyale reminds us that in spite of our mistakes and sins, God's plan for human redemption continues to move in unlikely ways and the most un...

Sadden by the District Attorney’s decision to seek the death penalty for the gunman responsible for the El Paso Walmart mass shooting, a listener struggles with the choice to trust the states decision for justice or oppose it. The group weighs in on the Church’s stance and reflect on the frequency of practice in Texas. Got a question? Reach us at FMHouston.com/AMA and let us know!  thesourcehousto...

Brandi asks why are you running from God? She shares the story of Jonah and the bad decision he makes for being angry at God's unwavering grace. She tells us God's love has no bounds, there is no place He won't go to save us all. To be faithful we have to be willing to let God change us and be the person he made us to be. thesourcehouston.org

On Kaitlyn’s last podcast, the group reflects on what they’ve learned in the past three years while working at First Methodist. Their discussion leads them to contemplate the changing dynamics of the church and how it might look in the future. Got a question? Reach us at FMHouston.com/AMA and let us know!  thesourcehouston.org

It's a bittersweet day at The Source as Kaitlyn delivers her last sermon with us. Like Gideon did, sometimes we don't feel that we are strong enough to answer God's calling. Kaitlyn tells us that God invites us into partnership with him. She tells us not to be afraid and remember we are never sent out alone. thesourcehouston.org

Today’s question has lots of ground to cover, Brandi takes over on this weeks episode with the help of familiar and new voices. A listener questions whether prayer without action is enough. thesourcehouston.org

In the wake of tragedy, Andy tells us to turn to prayer to guide us through. He challenges us to be the kind christian Paul writes about. He urges us not remain idle but instead to get involved. We can't live up to what Jesus's asks of us by ourselves. thesourcehouston.org

Today’s questions comes from a listener who wonders if there is a need to go out into the secular world like John Wesley did in the 18th century, in order to spread the word of God. The group shares some recommended material for another listen who wants to learn more about John Wesley and others like him who formed and shaped the UMC. thesourcehouston.org

With two Kaitlyn episodes left, we're trying to tackle all of the subjects we can that speak to Kaitlyn's heart. A listener questions whether or not divorce is an option when Scripture suggests it isn't. The group tackles the challenges of marriage, what the Bible really says about divorce, and makes sure to offer help to those who are in need of it. If you or someone you know if dealing with dome...

Our scripture today teaches us prayer is about seeking. Brandi tells us we shouldn't come to prayer just to avoid the bad things in life and that we cannot mold God into our image. We must answer the call to pray and seek the relationship He wants for us. thesourcehouston.org

With Kaitlyn’s last podcast on the horizon, the group keeps going through the topics that Kaitlyn most wants to answer before she goes. The discussion of faith, joy, and facing that perhaps happiness is not the end result of prayer also features new pastor Donyale Fraylon, joining the podcast for the first time. Got a question? Reach us at FMHouston.com/AMA and let us know! thesourcehouston.org

Brandi asks us to pay attention to what we put on repeat. She takes an in depth look at what the Lord's prayer is telling us. thesourcehouston.org

We're talking baptisms! Andy can't stop the puns from pouring out of him. The group answers why methodists practice infant baptisms and why methodist pastors don't rebaptize. thesourcehouston.org

We kick off our new sermon series Prayer 2.0 by taking a closer look at how we communicate with God through prayer. Brandi tells us to seek our truth through confession and remember that it is always followed by forgiveness. thesourcehouston.org

A political question about the problems at the border camps leads to a lot of different topics, including Christians’ place in the political sphere, the importance of prayer, and the calling God places on us to help the foreigner and the orphan. Includes very light and cautious wading into political waters. Ask us a question! Or (as you discover when you listen to this episode), send Ben hate mail...

Brandi reflects on what legacy she hopes to leave behind. We flourish not for ourselves but for those who will follow behind us. She asks what are you planting so that it will look like the kingdom God has planned for us. thesourcehouston.org