First Methodist Traditional
693 episodes - English - Latest episode: 1 day ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsAt First Methodist Houston our vision is to have an empowered, diverse faith family built on the foundation of God’s Word, sharing the transforming love of Jesus Christ throughout Houston and the world.
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Episodes
ASK ME ANYTHING: ‘What Do You Do When God Doesn’t Answer Prayers That Are In His Will?” – Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Kaitlyn Bowie Hankins, & Ben Wyman
November 29, 2018 14:00 - 28 minutes - 64.3 MBThis episode’s question comes from Ben’s mom, who wants to know what to do when you pray for a very long time for something that’s in God’s will, such as a family member coming to faith – and yet it never happens. Ask your own question – reach us at any time at FMHouston.com/AMA. This podcast is powered by ZenCast.fm
Everything Is Awesome and Nobody's Happy: "Anxiety vs. Surrender" - Brandi Horton
November 25, 2018 19:04 - 20 minutes - 28.1 MBIn Philippians, Paul tells us that we are not to be anxious about anything - but our anxiety as Americans keeps increasing. 39% of people say they are more anxious today than they were a year ago. And, as Brandi tells us, that means that the church has a problem. Philippians 4:4-9 FMHouston.com
Everything Is Awesome and Nobody's Happy: "Anxiety vs. Surrender" - Andy Nixon
November 25, 2018 18:14 - 23 minutes - 32.1 MBAs Christmas season kicks off, Andy talks about all of the things that could be worrying him, if he let them. As he takes a look at the gentleness that Paul pushes us towards in Philippians, he shows how gentleness pushes worry away. Plus, his kids are back in town, so that means stories. Philippians 4:4-9 FMHouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: ‘Cherry-picking Scripture Part Two: Are We Choosing Between Faithfulness and Love?” – Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Kaitlyn Bowie Hankins, & Ben Wyman
November 22, 2018 14:00 - 28 minutes - 65.7 MBLast week’s letter-writer, James, follows up with further queries, and after boiling them down to a few simple questions – “does the Church have a moral imperative in regards to homosexuality? Is it really a choice between following the law and loving people?” and “are we being deliberately wishy-washy so as not to offend certain groups?” Then, the crew tries to take them on. Plus, in honor of Thanksgiving, a dive into why gratitude is so important! Ask us a question! You can reach us a...
Everything Is Awesome But No One Is Happy: "Stages of Faith" - Kaitlyn Bowie Hankins
November 18, 2018 18:44 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBKaitlyn "nerds out" by walking us through James Fowler's Stages of Faith, and talks about the place that a lot of Christians get stuck at. But because Kaitlyn is nothing if not practical, she walks us through the journey step-by-step, and gives us some heavy questions to consider as we go on our way. FMHouston.com
Everything Is Awesome But No One Is Happy: "Process" - Andy Nixon
November 11, 2018 19:33 - 25 minutes - 35.5 MBOn Veteran's Day Weekend, Andy looks back on his grandfather's military service, and considers what a life of service looks like. A conversation with a Blue Angel gives him the message that "courage and faith go hand-in-hand." As he looks at his marriage, he sees the opportunities Jesus gives us to live a life of humility - and explains why living humbly is actually the easier path. FMHouston.com Philippians 2:12-13
ASK ME ANYTHING: ‘Why Are We Cherry-Picking The Scripture We Want To Follow?’ – Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, & Ben Wyman
November 08, 2018 14:00 - 26 minutes - 59.9 MBThe crew responds to a question with a ton of layers to it, covering Old Testament law, divorce, homosexuality, and about half a dozen more things. It’s a conversation about how to talk about religious beliefs when you’re not in lock step, and what Christian debate should look like. Ask us a question! You can reach us anytime at fmhouston.com/ama.
SPECIAL GUEST: Andy Interviews Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo
November 04, 2018 19:14 - 27 minutes - 37.4 MBAndy sits down with Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo to talk to him about his faith, the role of community in the city of Houston, and the realities of police work. What happens next is a forthright and honest conversation about our city, and what policing it really requires. FMHouston.com
Everything Is Awesome But No One Is Happy: "Christian Joy" - Ann Spears
November 04, 2018 19:08 - 28 minutes - 38.7 MBAnn considers the church at Philippi, and how Paul wrote them a letter from a tiny cell - but it was a letter of great joy! Then Ann considers the things that stunt our Christian joy, and how so many have it despite living lives of pain and struggle. FMHouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: "If The Bible Says 'He Who Does Not Work Does Not Eat,' Why Do We Feed The Hungry?"
November 01, 2018 13:00 - 18 minutes - 42.5 MBThe group is back together! Andy, Brandi, Kaitlyn, and Ben break down a couple different questions from listeners - first, they deal with the context of what "he who does not work shall not eat" means, and Brandi throws out some Greek translation off the top of her head. Then, someone who can't make it to church on Sundays because of work asks what to do about their predicament - where should their loyalties lie? Ask us a question, or respond back to the podcast! Reach us at fmhouston.com/...
Adaptation: "Holding On" - Brant Wallace
October 28, 2018 18:30 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBBrant immediately announces his intention to get controversial, and requests that if you have any problem with it... that you should email Andy. Then, he gets deeply personal, telling the story of the struggle he and his wife had to get pregnant, how he stayed in prayer over it for years and years. He had to learn how to find hope. His father is battling cancer, and has been for years... and he had to learn how to find hope. Brant reminds us that without stepping out into a difficult wo...
Music Spotlight: Breaking Down Brahms' Requiem with Dr. Terry Morris
October 26, 2018 11:05 - 44 minutes - 61.4 MBOn a special episode, Dr. Terry Morris takes us through Brahms' Requiem, exploring its roots, the deep emotion behind its creation, and various motifs and styles that float in and out throughout the composition. Plus, stories from his turn as a villanous preacher in Susanne, and the time he shocked an audience full of Baptists so much they had to change the lyrics to one of the songs the next night. FMHouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: ‘Who Needs Counseling, Anyway?’ - Kaitlyn Bowie Hankins, Ben Wyman, & Dr. Ashley Sanford
October 25, 2018 14:17 - 31 minutes - 72.6 MBThis week, Kaitlyn and Ben are joined by First Methodist Houston's own [Dr. Ashley Sanford], to sit down to discuss the often-ignored importance of mental health in our lives, and to discuss the stigmas behind mental health and our faith. Ask us a question! We can be reached at any time at FMHouston.com/AMA [link to: fmhouston.com/ama]
Adaptation: "Taking Risks" - Andy Nixon
October 21, 2018 17:49 - 27 minutes - 37.3 MBAndy took a trip to the symphony to see legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, and the encounter got him thinking about the story of Rahab (it makes sense, we promise). The story of Rahab is "a fantastically messy story" - but when we look at our lives, they're messy, too. But God wants all of us to make it. No matter how dark it's been, God has a plan for us. But we need to hear what Christ is calling us to do today. fmhouston.com
Adaptation: "Taking Risks" - Ann Spears
October 21, 2018 15:37 - 29 minutes - 40.4 MBAs Ann tells the story of Rahab, she's reminded of a similar story of a woman who once had to force herself to cross the threshold of the church - but once she did, she led a life that led other people to change their lives. The story reminds us that the responsibility to grow the church is on us. We are the ones who God uses to make the change. As Ann says, "the Church absolutely never stops moving." fmhouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: ‘When Does The Holy Spirit Show Up?” – Andy Nixon, Ken Coneby, Anthony Rogers, & Ben Wyman
October 18, 2018 13:00 - 25 minutes - 58.2 MBKen and Anthony return! We get a question about the Holy Spirit – when it shows up, does everybody get it, and what everybody’s experience with it is. It turns out, what the United Methodist church thinks about it might just surprise you. Ask us a question! We can be reached at any time at FMHouston.com/AMA. [link to: fmhouston.com/ama]
Adaptation: "Stepping Up" - Andy Nixon
October 14, 2018 19:23 - 29 minutes - 39.9 MBAfter taking a vote with the congregation, Andy decides to start his sermon seriously, and end it with some fun. He starts with what he learned about racism in his time in St. Louis, and the important words two pastors there said to him that have stuck with him. Later, we learn why the book of Esther almost did not make it into the Bible, and have some fun with moving seats in church. fmhouston.com
Adaptation: "Stepping Up" - Brandi Horton
October 14, 2018 19:11 - 22 minutes - 31.5 MBThis is what Brandi admits is a hard word: facing up to the fact that church is becoming less and less relevant in the world, and that it is our responsibility to change it. And that changing the world is going to take all of us. Plus, what Spider-Man can teach us about how changing the world involves other people. fmhouston.com
Adaptation: "Changing Plans" - Brandi Horton
October 07, 2018 17:25 - 21 minutes - 29.6 MBBrandi shares her original "Plan A," and how she gradually learned that her carefully-laid plan wasn't the right plan at all. She compares it to Ruth, and how Ruth had her Plan A thrown out as well - but when she found hope, she found something wonderful. Plus, all the reasons why Brandi wasn't sure if David should be her husband. fmhouston.com
Adaptation: "Changing Plans" - Ann Spears and Brant Wallace
October 07, 2018 17:15 - 27 minutes - 37.9 MBAnn and Brant team up on a sermon to talk about Ruth's faithfulness, and her willingness to adapt to change. Along the way, we get an update on Brant's brand-new baby, the story of Henry Ford destroying one of his automobiles in fury, and discovering whether we are a "Big Godder" or a "Little Godder." fmhouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: ‘What If I Don’t Want To Stand Up and Greet My Neighbor?’
October 04, 2018 13:00 - 32 minutes - 73.3 MBThe gang is back together and answering questions again! On this episode, the group talks about the pluses and minuses of the greet-your-neighbor part of church, and how being an introvert changes one’s perspective on the matter. Then, responding to someone’s concern, they talk about what happens to our souls when we die, and how we handle parts of scripture written in metaphor. You can respond or ask us questions anytime at fmhouston.com/ama (link:http://fmhouston.com/ama)
Commissioned: "To The Ends of the Earth" - Andy Nixon
September 30, 2018 15:45 - 27 minutes - 38.2 MBWhen Andy was handed Moby Dick in high school, as he stared at this startlingly thick book, his teacher told the class to dive in - they'd never get anywhere if they didn't dive right in. As Andy considers the eleven disciples, hearing the Great Commission for the first time, wondering how on earth they could ever complete something truly impossible - yet the church exists today because of their willingness to simply dive in. Matthew 28: 18-20 fmhouston.com
Commissioned: "To The Ends of The Earth" - Brant Wallace
September 30, 2018 15:39 - 18 minutes - 25.7 MBBrant takes the pulpit to close out our missions series, emphasizing the difficulty - the impossiblity - of what God asks of us by telling stories of the Immaculate Reception, and Mao's effect in China. But his emphasis is on the promise Jesus makes in the Great Commission - his promise to be with us always. Matthew 28: 18-20 fmhouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: "How We Made Neighbors In Action" - Kathrin Meier, Kaitlyn Bowie Hankins, & Ben Wyman
September 27, 2018 13:00 - 32 minutes - 44.4 MBKathrin comes by the podcast to talk about how a German woman ended up leading a Hispanic ministry in Port Houston, how a ministry like that has to operate, and how the people in that community are dealing with a difficult political time. You can reach us any time to ask questions at fmhouston.com/ama.
Commissioned: "Casting Starfish" - Andy Nixon
September 23, 2018 15:31 - 23 minutes - 32.7 MBOn a Sunday where we celebrated the opening of our Harvey House for someone who had lost everything during the hurricane, Andy talks about the ways that Satan can throw up a million different obstacles. And as he continues to struggle with the Peloton, Andy talks about how he needs to force himself through to get to the other side - and how Paul was trying to teach the Philippians a similar message. Philippians 3:12-21 fmhouston.com
Commissioned: "Commissioned To Serve" - Brandi Horton
September 23, 2018 15:23 - 18 minutes - 25.7 MBAfter she catches her daughter imitating her, Brandi considers the example that she gives. She compares it to Paul's example from these verses, as he invites the Philippians to imitate him - in the hope that they would follow and learn to imitate Jesus. Brandi points out that Paul's message is a focus on what it means to have your citizenship in heaven. Plus, a shoutout to the original 12th man. Philippians 3:15-21 fmhouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: "What Do I Do About The Homeless?" - Andy Nixon, Bill Allen, Alexis McCarty, & Ben Wyman
September 20, 2018 11:42 - 28 minutes - 39.5 MBThis week, Bill Allen and Alexis McCarty swing by to talk about Lifeline, the homeless ministry of our church, and tell stories about the people they've met and relationships they've made. Ask us a question anytime: FMHouston.com/AMA
Commissioned: 'Disciples In Every Nation' - Peter Swann
September 16, 2018 17:22 - 25 minutes - 35.4 MBVisiting missionary Peter Swann tells us stories of how God had nudged him to share the Gospel, both in villages in South Sudan - and with people he bumped into in a Houston mall. fmhouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: "What Are We Doing About Houston's Refugees?" - Loren Trujillo, Brandi Horton, Kaitlyn Bowie Hankins, & Ben Wyman
September 13, 2018 12:27 - 34 minutes - 47.9 MBThis week, Loren Trujillo, our Refugee Ministry Coordinator, joins us to talk about the refugee community in Houston, the huge opportunity we have with our West Campus, and the way our church has been able to make connections with the nearby refugee communites. Ask us a question anytime: FMHouston.com/AMA
Commissioned: "Wrapping Our Hearts Around Eternity" - Andy Nixon
September 09, 2018 19:27 - 23 minutes - 32.5 MBAndy is reminded of a near-miraculous fishing excursion he once went on, and the wrong lesson he learned from it. While considering missions, he points out the long view that we need to be taking in our lives. "To say 'yes' to Christ," he says, " we have to let something go." FMHouston.com
Commissioned: 'A Three-Year Field Trip" - Ann Spears
September 09, 2018 18:10 - 23 minutes - 31.8 MBAs Ann remembers her third grade teacher, Mrs. McKinney, she recalls the excitement of discovering something new - and having that new thing be the path that you take. So, what was Jesus' classroom like? FMHouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: "Colin Kaepernick and Nike" - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Kaitlyn Bowie Hankins, & Ben Wyman
September 04, 2018 13:35 - 33 minutes - 45.8 MBAnthony asked us to talk about the new Colin Kaepernick Nike ad, so we talk about it from every angle, from the Biblical understanding of being a prophet, to American consumerism, to turning a blind eye to things we don't want to see, and everything else that jumps out at us. Then, someone writes in to figure out if they're a heretic or not, and we try and figure that out. Ask us a question, or respond back at: FMHouston.com/AMA
Commissioned: 'Commissioned!' - Andy Nixon
September 02, 2018 18:49 - 19 minutes - 26.4 MBAndy talks about the Great Commission, and all the various ways that our church is reaching out into the world to spread the gospel. Plus, his new plan to reach out with the gospel in Houston that might put him in the emergency room. Matthew 28: 16-20 All month, we will be fundraising to support our missions outreach across the world. Visit the site to learn more: FMHouston.com/commissioned
Commissioned: 'Commissioned!' - Ann Spears
September 02, 2018 18:06 - 30 minutes - 42.1 MBAnn talks about how our "Mission Impossible" can become a mission possible - because to believe the Great Commission mean that anything is possible. Matthew 28: 18-20 All month, we will be fundraising to support our missions outreach across the world. Visit the site to learn more: FMHouston.com/commissioned
ASK ME ANYTHING: "Have We Not Been Empathetic Enough About Gay Marriage?" - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Kaitlyn Bowie Hankins, & Ben Wyman
August 30, 2018 12:00 - 31 minutes - 43.5 MBAfter a listener responded in frustration and disappointment to our answer about the United Methodist Church's struggle to find a solution to gay marriage within the church, Andy, Brandi, and Kaitlyn go back to reconsider their answers. Plus, book recommendations! Here's a list of the books mentioned: Andy: "The Sacred Enneagram" by Christopher L. Heuertz "The Righteous Mind" by Jonathan Haidt Kaitlyn: "The Sacred Enneagram" by Christopher L. Heuertz "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard...
Fake News: 'Living Faith' - Brandi Horton
August 26, 2018 18:11 - 21 minutes - 29.6 MBBrandi talks about her struggles with with a Pizza Hut (and works in a pun so flawlessly Andy should be embarrassed), and the value of authenticity, both within the church and in our every day lives. Then, why a set of pictures from the Chronicle this week moved her so much. James 2: 14-17 fmhouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: 'What's It Like To Tell People They're Pharisees?" - Andy Nixon, Ann Spears, Brandi Horton, Caroline Horton, & Ben Wyman
August 23, 2018 12:47 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MBAnn Spears joins the podcast as three pastors who have battled with talking about our relationship to the Pharisees from the stage gather to talk about what makes this subject tough to talk about, and why hypocrisy is so easy. Plus, we're joined - noisily at first, but gradually much more calmly - by Brandi's one-year-old daughter, and we talk about the Enneagram WITHOUT KAITLYN EVEN BEING THERE, which will probably lead to some repercussions for all of us. fmhouston.com/ama
Fake News: 'The Location Of The Heart' - Andy Nixon
August 19, 2018 19:01 - 28 minutes - 39 MBAndy looks closely at the way the Pharisees lived their lives, and pushed others to live their lives. Then he compares Biblical hypocrisy to modern hypocrisy, and points out the ways that our actions echo those mentioned by Jesus in the Bible. Plus, why his daughter has banned him from tweeting about Peloton. Matthew 15: 1-11 fmhouston.com
Fake News: 'The Location Of The Heart' - Ann Spears
August 19, 2018 19:00 - 31 minutes - 43.6 MBAnn starts off with the story of her new Roomba, and its penchant for attacking things throughout the house (and the terrific name that Max gave it). She then digs into the dirt of hypocrisy in the church - this church, in fact. Telling stories of how she's seen hypocrisy rear its head throughout the church in her years here, she lays bare the problems at the heart of our faith. Matthew 15: 1-11 fmhouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: 'United Methodist Homosexuality Debates, and Should Women Be Silent?" - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, & Ben Wyman
August 16, 2018 11:56 - 27 minutes - 37.4 MBThree different questions lead to three different conversations, as Andy, Brandi, and Ben work through current debates about homosexuality in the United Methodist Church, compare the Pharisees to the modern day church, and discuss 1 Corinthians 14:34, which tells us that a woman shouldn't speak while in church. fmhouston.com/ama
Fake News: 'What Plank Is Blinding You?' - Andy Nixon
August 12, 2018 18:17 - 27 minutes - 37.6 MBAndy has a sermon planned out, but an encounter with a woman during the first service derails him and sends him in a new direction. He talks about the planks in our eyes, but he also talks about reaching out, the ways we need to be open to things that are uncomfortable, and the voice of the Holy Spirit we may be ignoring. FMHouston.com
Fake News: 'What Plank Is Blinding You?' - Brant Wallace
August 12, 2018 17:52 - 24 minutes - 33.3 MBBrant details his frustrations and hypocrisy when it comes to judging other people, and the constant struggle that judgment has been in his life. When it comes to this issue, he knows he has a plank in his own eye (he even brought in the plank!). But a chance encounter with someone he judged at first sight leads him in an entirely new direction. FMHouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: 'Is The Bible Up For Interpretation?' - Andy Nixon
August 09, 2018 12:00 - 10 minutes - 14 MBWhile everyone else is away, Andy answers a few AMA questions solo. He tackles questions about the innerrancy of scripture, the Bible as a living, breathing document, and how our interpretations matter. Don't forget to send in your questions or links to any topic you'd like to hear everyone talk about! FMHouston.com/AMA
Fake News: "Jesus vs. the Pharisees" - Brandi Horton
August 05, 2018 18:27 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBThe new series kicks off with part of an interactive survey conducted in real-time to find out whether Christians follow more in line with attitudes and actions Jesus or the Pharisees. Brandi then talks about how the results can point out a hypocrisy within the Christian faith today, and relates it to the term "Fake News" today, and even to one of her favorite podcasts about magic! Matthew 24:1-4 fmhouston.com
Fake News: "Jesus vs. the Pharisees" - Andy Nixon
August 05, 2018 18:12 - 23 minutes - 32.4 MBThe new series kicks off with part of an interactive survey conducted in real-time to find out whether Christians follow more in line with attitudes and actions Jesus or the Pharisees. Brandi then talks about how the results can point out a hypocrisy within the Christian faith today, and relates it to the term "Fake News" today, and even to one of her favorite podcasts about magic! Matthew 24:1-4 fmhouston.com
ASK ME ANYTHING: 'Girls Need Clergywomen' - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, & Kaitlyn Bowie Hankins
August 02, 2018 12:00 - 31 minutes - 43.7 MBAndy, Brandi, and Kaitlyn respond to two articles written about the importance of having prominent female religious leaders. The group talks through their different experiences within the church, and ask the question 'What are you doing to elevate people around you, who don't look like you?' Click here to read the articles the group is responding to. Article 1 and Article 2 Don't forget to send in your questions or links to any topic you'd like to hear everyone talk about! FMHouston.com/AMA
Simply Ordinary: 'Water' - Andy Nixon
July 29, 2018 18:53 - 20 minutes - 28.1 MBActs 16:13-15 fmhouston.com
Simply Ordinary: 'Water' - Ann Spears
July 29, 2018 18:51 - 23 minutes - 32.7 MBActs 16:13-15 fmhouston.com
Simply Ordinary: 'Things' - Ken Coneby
July 26, 2018 19:23 - 24 minutes - 33.2 MBAs Simply Ordinary continues, Ken examines what it means for God to use things by looking at how God uses people to do his work. It leads to the topic of grace, and how we are called to treat each other not with equality, but with equity, giving to those that have needs, not everyone getting the same. Plus, like Oprah, there is a suprising giveaway partway through! thesourcehouston.org
ASK ME ANYTHING: "What Does 'Remembering Your Baptism' Even Mean?" - Andy Nixon, Brandi Horton, Kaitlyn Bowie Hankins, & Ben Wyman
July 26, 2018 11:11 - 24 minutes - 33.6 MBAndy returns from Ithaca to discuss baptism and "remembering your baptism" on the week of First Methodist's "Simply Ordinary" baptism ceremony. Along the way, we talk about how the church does confirmation wrong, a Martin Luther quote worth remembering, and Brandi accidentally calls Ben a demon. fmhouston.com/ama