Life + God Podcast

What are your thoughts and feelings about the Bible?

Alyssa Robinson and Rev. Doug Meyer talk about their understanding of the Bible, what they were raised to believe about Scripture, and the struggles they have with it as adults. Both of their understandings of Scripture have transformed drastically over the years. What are your thoughts on the Bible? Check out some helpful resources to get started with Scripture at https://www.tmumc.org/bible. 

What are your favorite Christmas traditions?

Merry Christmas from Men In Progress! We hope you enjoy this special episode compiled throughout the year in which host Dave Casey has asked every MIP guest about their favorite Christmas traditions. Maybe you share these traditions or maybe you'll hear one you want to try. Thank you for listening to our podcast throughout the year, and we send good tidings of the hope and joy of Christ to you and your family. Men In Progress is a monthly series within the Life + God Podcast hosted by the United Methodist Men of Trietsch.

What is the big picture of Christmas?

The story of Jesus didn’t begin with his birth, or even with an angel appearing to Mary. God’s good work with Jesus has been unfolding for millennia. Rev. Gracie Millard and Alyssa Robinson explore the big picture of Christmas. This story of Jesus's birth is bigger than we ever knew!
We'd love for you to join us for Christmas Eve Worship on Dec. 24. Since Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, we're providing a Traditional Communion service at 9 am. This would be a beautiful way to start your day on Christmas Eve. Then, at 11 am we're hosting a high energy worship experience for children and family. This service is perfect for families with elementary aged children and younger. In the evening, we're hosting two identical Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 5 pm and 7 pm. These services will be a blend of traditional Christmas hymns with a choir and orchestra combined with a modern praise band.

How do I experience the Trinity?

The Trinity is a complicated idea. How can we worship one God, but our God is expressed in three distinct ways? Can God only be expressed in three ways? Is one of the facets of God more important than the others? Rev. Karen Chraska shares her thoughts on God the Creator, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit and how she has experienced each. CLICK HERE to watch helpful sermons about understanding the Trinity. 

How can I be truly thankful for what I have?

This week in the Men In Progress series, host Dave Casey is joined by Buddy Bonner, Christian Sweeney, and Kevin Cummings to discuss how to stay centered in gratitude when we live in a capitalist, materialistic society. Men In Progress is a monthly series within the Life + God Podcast hosted by the United Methodist Men of Trietsch.

Who am I?

Introspection and contemplation are important for spiritual and emotional growth, but how do you get started? In today's episode, Alyssa Robinson and Rev. Doug Meyer do some introspective work to give an example of working toward self-awareness and understanding. Here are some questions to ask yourself (or with a trusted partner) if you want to start a journey to introspection:
What is the mask that you wear to feel safe and secure?
What are some negative aspects of yourself that you'd like to work on?
What are some positive aspects of yourself that you want to nurture?
How are you lovable to yourself and others?

Why Methodism?

In the first half of today's episode, Rev. Don Kirsch shares his journey to faith. Don didn't grow up going to church, which led to a feeling of indifference about God and spirituality. He was raised in a household struggling with addiction and struggled with his own addiction as an adult. God was planting seeds for 40 years throughout Don's childhood and adulthood to show him that he's not alone and he is loved.
 
In the second half of the episode, Alyssa and Don share why specifically they resonate with Methodist theology, John Wesley's teachings, and continue to explore their faith in the United Methodist Church.

REFRESH: What does the Bible say about money?

Rev. Daniel Humbert and Alyssa Robinson dig into what the Bible really says about money and generosity. Can we really lean on the way money was managed 2,000 years ago to determine how we should treat money today? Is there a difference between giving and generosity? Visit https://www.tmumc.org/pledge to learn more.

What do we envision for this church?

This week in the Men In Progress series, host Dave Casey is joined by Rev. Daniel Humbert and Rev. Gracie Millard to discuss the new vision for Trietsch Memorial UMC, how we got here, and how we envision the future of our surrounding community. Men In Progress is a monthly series within the Life + God Podcast hosted by the United Methodist Men of Trietsch.

How can we process evil?

We see evil systems and evil acts on a daily basis. How do we lean into our faith when the world seems overcome by evil forces? How do we personally process evil in a healthy way? Today, Rev. Daniel Humbert shares his thoughts on what the Bible teaches us about evil and how to bring God's Kingdom to earth.