West Umc Podcast

Sometimes we do things in life that cause negative outcomes. Things fall apart, despite our best efforts. Then . . . we beat ourselves up about them over and over again. Long after the event is over. We carry around guilt.Guilt is a dangerous thing.It causes us to experience anxiety, stress, sadness, feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, regret, loneliness, or critical self-talk. In this sermon we talk about guilt. And also learn how to be free from it!Even when things fall apart, the world keeps turning. So, no need to wallow in guilt.

Did you know that Jesus was never in a hurry? We are progressively getting more and more busy and living in a complete hurry. The concept of living life is a hurry is so harmful to us.  Learn how to slow down to live life like Jesus and be more close to Jesus.What are some things you’d like or need to cancel out of your life? We live in a time where “Cancel culture” is a real thing. We cancel things that are hurtful to humanity! But what if we need to cancel our own “stuff?”Shame. Guilt. Fear. Insecurities. Anger. And so much more. In this series we will discuss how we can cancel the things in our lives that rob us of our joy.

Join us as we explore HOW we can make the crucifixion and resurrection worth it in our lives each and every day!  This Sunday sermon talks about shame and how we can now cancel that out because of what we live and believe.What are some things you’d like or need to cancel out of your life? We live in a time where “Cancel culture” is a real thing. We cancel things that are hurtful to humanity! But what if we need to cancel our own “stuff?”Shame. Guilt. Fear. Insecurities. Anger. And so much more. In this series we will discuss how we can cancel the things in our lives that rob us of our joy.

In today's Sunday message, we celebrate the Easter resurrection miracle. No matter where you come to the Easter story and the Jesus narrative,  I hope in today's message there will be something you can take away that will give your life purpose and hope. Join us as we look at the story of Jesus.

Palm Sunday sermon by Pastor Andrea SmithAs we are in our own journeys of Holy Week, may we ask ourselves the question, “Do we live in such a way that others would stop and stare?” (In a good way, by the way!) Do we love so radically that others, after watching, are struck by the ways that we love?Do we give so selflessly that others, after noticing how we give, find themselves wanting to be more selfless?Do we strive to seek justice for all, so that others, after hearing our calling for equality, find themselves questioning their approach? Those are just a few of the reasons that the life of Jesus caused such a stir that people rushed to the streets to stare at his entrance into Jerusalem. Could we live today so that others would stare at us? 

Where do you draw your line?In work, in relationships, in life, in spirituality?Listen to Sunday's message from Pastor Andrea Smith about how/when/where we draw the line in our lives!

The scene from Wednesday mentioned in the message can be found here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wis8ahXUHHwThe video clip about Kate Bowler mentioned in the message can be found here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVS0DDNnd_Y

So often we think of “demons (or the devil)” as little red figures that walk around with pitchforks, horns, and spandex with the intention of derailing us. However, demons are also the negative things in our lives that suck the life out of us. So . . . what sucks the life out of you?And no, the initial answer isn’t to go to a particular person that might be getting on your nerves right now! Seriously, think about it for a minute . . . and be willing to identify it.Negativity? Fear?Chronic Illness?Insecurities?Worry?Job Pressures?An unsustainable life pace?Or there is a whole category of “emotional vampires.” Here are just a few examples of those: Narcissists/Those in your life who only care about themselvesCriticsSarcastic PeopleControlling PeopleThe Gospel of John tells us that Jesus said, “The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed so that they could live life to the fullest.”What is keeping you from living life to its fullest? What demon is holding you bac

“If trouble means standing up to lies, decades of discrimination, centuries of treating outcasts like second-class citizens or worse…” ---Wednesday Addams in "Wednesday" OR . . . seems like something Jesus would say. Today we talk about "The Outcasts" 

How do you deal with the deep temptations that face us all? Remember Satan/Lucifer means “light bearer.” And evil is never far away from shining light on things that will cause us to take the wrong twist or turn on our path.Hiding our temptations and pretending they do not exist is not the answer. We have a powerful example of Jesus being tempted and showing us how to withstand temptation. Each time he was confronted, he went within himself, relying on the power of God learned and expressed through the Hebrew Scriptures. Click here if you’d like to read the passage from Matthew we read in worship yesterday that gives us insight into Jesus’ temptations. What do you have within that will help you withstand temptation? "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).God always provides us with an es

Join Pastors Andrea and Lexi as they play “The Dating Game” … answering questions submitted by West followers as their “real” and “fake” selves. The answers are both entertaining and spiritually enlightening. Ponder the question “Would you date you?” We are going to explore that question in the context of our own self-image. We hope you come away with a healthy introspection about yourself. The “Would You Date You” message series hopes to create a new understanding of who we are and how we are wired. We will tie psychology, spirituality, and Christianity all together using a study by Carl Yung and New Testament scripture.

Pastor Andrea has an enlightening Valentine's Day ... with herself. Though conversations with her "wine steward" and recollections of her failed date she explores her "shadow side" and gives us all ways to look at ourselves with new eyes. Ponder the question “Would you date you?” We are going to explore that question in the context of our own self-image. We hope you come away with a healthy introspection about yourself. The “Would You Date You” message series hopes to create a new understanding of who we are and how we are wired. We will tie psychology, spirituality, and Christianity all together using a study by Carl Yung and New Testament scripture.

Ponder the question “Would you date you?” We are going to explore that question in the context of our own self-image. We hope you come away with a healthy introspection about yourself. The “Would You Date You” message series hopes to create a new understanding of who we are and how we are wired. We will tie psychology, spirituality, and Christianity all together using a study by Carl Yung and New Testament scripture.

Ponder the question “Would you date you?” We are going to explore that question in the context of our own self-image. We hope you come away with a healthy introspection about yourself. The “Would You Date You” message series hopes to create a new understanding of who we are and how we are wired. We will tie psychology, spirituality, and Christianity all together using a study by Carl Yung and New Testament scripture.Who are we really? So many times we have a false positive self-image or see ourselves too negatively. Think about where our self-image comes from. How are we wired? Why are we wired that way? What do we do about it?In three episodes we will explore:Our shadow sides and self-awarenessOur shadow sides in light of darkness and evilUnderstanding our consciousness

When Jesus called the disciples, it was not that they’d been sitting around WAITING to be asked to go on the journey. Yet, when the ask came, they were willing to move. Are you willing to move today? Or do you have something that you are clinging to that keeps you stuck where you are?