In the Fifth Chapter of Galatians, Paul is challenging the church to a journey of faith and hope, led by the Holy Spirit. This chapter is the most persuasive argument of the church's need to be spirit led.By Beth A Waldrup

Paul challenged the Galatians by telling them the missionaries from Jerusalem were wrong. They did not need to being in good standing with the Old Covenant to become mmbers of the New Covenant. So I'm wondering if it is wrong to tell LGBTQ individuals they must become straight before they are fully included in the New Covenant.…

The new kingdom Jesus presents in not the resurrection of the old kingdom of God found in the Hebrew Bible. The old Kingdom was a physical kingdom with boundaries and politics. The new Kingdom has no boundaries. It expands only when Jesus changes a heart and mind.By Beth A Waldrup

If you do not understand the story of Abraham, you will not understand Paul's theology. Abraham was not redeemed by the Law; he was redeem by faith.

Paul began his ministry as a Pharisee, sworn to abide by and protect the law then he encountered Jesus. Paul's call was to the Gentiles. Paul's call was to preach salvation by faith alone in the grace of Jesus Christ. Peter knew this but took heat from the church in Jerusalem where they followed Jesus and kept the law. It is a debate we have been h…

In every letter of Paul, both the seven certain and the two maybes, there is a greeting followed by a prayer of thanksgiving except one - Galatians. Why is Galatians different? That is what we will be learning in this seven week series.By Beth A Waldrup

On this Easter Sunday, we take a look at the two disciples walking home to Emmaus. This story is a real story of discipleship. We walk together, we listen to the word, and we receive grace in the breaking of the bread together.By Beth A Waldrup

According to the gospel of Luke, Jesus spent his last week on earth teaching at the Temple in Jerusalem. He told his followers they might be persecuted but do not hire a lawyer to prepare a defense. Prepare your faith to be steadfast.By Beth A Waldrup

Today we talk about excessive pride. We look at a short passage in the ninth chapter of Luke that contains three examples of the damage pride can cause.By Beth A Waldrup

Joy! The religious leaders complaining that Jesus was hanging out with the wrong people in the wrong places certainly did not have it. So Jesus told them three stories. We look at the first two today!By Beth A Waldrup

Most of us wish there was a magic formula that could keep those we love away from harm. That secret wish reveals itself when we hear of a tragedy and want to believe it was not random. Jesus is tells his disciples that it is. Then he says, Repent or you will die. Yikes! Thank goodness a parable comes to explain.…

In the 13th chapter of Luke, Jesus is standing on the Mount of Olives, looking over the Kidron Valley to the Temple Mount. There, he expresses a deep lament for the past, present, and future of Jerusalem. Today, we lament how our world has changed.

The first Sunday of Lent always includes a the story of Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. Why? The temptations of Jesus mirrors the temptations that snag us all - appetite, status, and control.By Beth A Waldrup

Today, we look at the Transfiguration story. We usually emphasize the glory shone but maybe we need to listen to what god has to say.By Beth A Waldrup

This week we explore Luke's Sermon on the Plain which is similar to Matthew's Sermon on the Mount but abbreviated and given to the disciples, not to thousands. If you choose to follow Jesus, you are expected to take a different direction in the way you live life. Discipleship is caring for your neighbor's well being as much as your own.…

Today, in Luke 5:1-11, we find Peter, James, John, and Andrew returning from an all night fishing adventure having caught nothing. Jesus shows up and turns things around.By Beth A Waldrup

Jesus went to his hometown and ended up being the preacher for the service. He chose to read from the prophet, Isaiah, chapter 61. He told the truth to his hometown crowd and they did not like it.By Beth A Waldrup

This week we celebrate the baptism of Jesus by remembering our own baptism.By Beth A Waldrup

An epiphany is defined as a manifestation of the Divine. In the turmoil of our world and the newness of this year, we all need an epiphany.By Beth A Waldrup

This Christmas Eve we think about Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. He was born in oppression but today, he would have been born in the Bethlehem of the West Bank.By Beth A Waldrup

Discipleship starts at somepoint in our lives and continues for eternity unless we decide we know enough. If we stop striving and if we stop being curious, we do not become all god has called us to be. Simeon and Anna were old but God gave them what God promised.By Beth A Waldrup

Ever notice how loud truth seems to be. when you hear it, you may not want to listen but it is there and you should. Artist are truth tellers. So was John the Baptist.By Beth A Waldrup

It has always baffled me how people of faith in the Bible are terrifed by angels. Today we look at Zechariah's reaction when Gabriel shows up in the Temple to tell him Good News!By Beth A Waldrup

Revelations 19 describes the wedding feast of the Lamb, an event we all hope to attend!By Beth A Waldrup

The Gospel of John tells the story of the Last Supper in a way that seems to emphasize foot washing over communion but maybe he is telling us something even more important. His first miracle is making wine at the wedding in Cana. In the sixth chapter of John he feeds the multitudes then goes into a long discussion of bread. Let's explore this today…

In our sermon today, we will begin looking at feasts in the New Testament. Jesus does not just use food and banquets in his parables, we often finding him celebrating with those the church rejects.By Beth A Waldrup

My sermon schedule is typically set at least three months in advance. On occasion the text is exactly what needs to be explored given the events of the week, Today, the sermon is the story of Esther.By Beth A Waldrup

Many of us look at the rules in Scripture but what if we look at the instructions for hospitality instead. The 18th Chapter of Genesis is hospitality well done and hospitality refused. It is an amazing constrast. You cannot have a feast without hospitality.By Beth A Waldrup

With the Hamas attack on October 7th, Israel and Palestine have been on our minds. It was another dire period of time when Isaiah spoke these words from the 55th chapter. What do they mean to us today?By Beth A Waldrup

God laid out a plan in Leviticus 25 to alleviate generational poverty. It was God's intent for people to thrive. That includes you!By Beth A Waldrup

In October we began a new sermon series called Always Room for One More. We began this week, World Communion Sunday in Leviticus 23 where God commanded the people to observe Sabbath but also seven festivals. Why? They were to celebrate and remember the redemption of God's people but you cannot celebrate redemption if you do not understand what it m…

Why is Connectionalism important? We look at The Way United Methodist do church, chapter 9 of Joyner's "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."By Ellen Horseman

United Methodist believe in doing -- lesson 6 in Belton Joyner's "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."

Today we look at Chapters 6 & 7 of Joshua. We talk about these stories of Jericho and Ai as stories of power and conquests but I believe they may be pointing to something else.By Beth A Waldrup

How does God impart grace to us? A look at ordinary means of grace with Belton Joyner's "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."By Ellen Horseman

Robert Alter describes the first twelve chapters of Joshua as ruthless and the last twelve chapters at tedium. The first twelve chapters remind us of our current culture of completely fidelity to a leader no matter how harmful. We have another choice.

What do United Methodists believe about baptism? Our 4th lesson in Belton Joyner's "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."By Ellen Horseman

Today we begin a new series on the books of Joshua and Judges. Joshua takes us from the wilderness into the Promised Land but you have to get across a river first.By Beth A Waldrup

Do United Methodist really believe in the Bible? Our 3rd lesson from Belton Joyner's "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."By Ellen Horseman

It is Pentecost! The disciples are gathered together when the wind starts howling, the flames start dancing, and they start speaking in other languages. Do not be distracted by the side show. The real miracle is what happens to the disciples and what can happen to you!By Beth A Waldrup

Sin, grace, and church: lesson 2 in Belton Joyner's "Being United Methodist"By Ellen Horseman

On this Ascension Sunday, we explore Luke's telling of Jesus rising into the clouds, the disciples' question, and Jesus' response. It is still relevant today!By Beth A Waldrup

This is our last sunday in First Corinthians. What do we need to take away from this important letter?By Beth A Waldrup

Lesson One in a humorous book by F. Belton Joyner, Jr., "Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt."By Ellen Horseman

What is the abundant life Jesus claims in John 10:10. It is living fully in the present with joy and hope in mind, body, and spirit. Paul claims that abundant life and want it for the Corinthians...and you!By Beth A Waldrup

We believe in the Resurrection of the body, our last lesson on the Apostle's CreedBy Ellen Horseman

What do we mean when we say that we believe in the forgiveness of sin? Exploring the Apostle's Creed with Adam Hamilton's book.By Ellen Horseman

The bible does not support dualism. It was Greek philosophy that told us our bodies were bad and our spirits are good. What makes us human is not just our souls but our bodies.By Beth A Waldrup

What do we mean by "holy catholic" church? We continue Adam Hamilton's "Creed".By Ellen Horseman

The only time I am invited to talk about death is when someone has died or someone is dying. Paul makes the claim that he is dying everyday. He was...so are we. Chapter 15 in I Corinthians, Paul tells us what he believes about death and what he believes about hope. We will be exploring this chapter over the next three weeks.…