Welcome to Grow Deeper — a weekly podcast from Bluff Park United Methodist Church in Hoover, Alabama, where pastors Mike Holly and Ross Furio guide us in ways to grow in faith and in life.
Bluff Park United Methodist Church
Research shows that resilience is something we can build and grow in our lives, and we believe it is something we can build and grow in our faith. Join us this week as we begin our new series on how we can be a resilient people and a resilient church. No matter what 2024 might bring us, might our resilience enable us to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Research shows that resilience is something we can build and grow in our lives, and we believe it is something we can build and grow in our faith. Join us this week as we begin our new series on how we can be a resilient people and a resilient church. No matter what 2024 might bring us, might our resilience enable us to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Research shows that resilience is something we can build and grow in our lives, and we believe it is something we can build and grow in our faith. Join us this week as we begin our new series on how we can be a resilient people and a resilient church. No matter what 2024 might bring us, might our resilience enable us to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
What might it be like to be those shepherds watching the fields by night, only to be stunned with the sight and sound of a host of angels lighting up the night sky? Why does God often show up to these lowly folks? It's interesting how often this happens in scripture... perhaps it's really important? I think so, so pay attention!
Episode 92: Prepare The Way Of The Lord – Rev. Ross Furio We are being called to wake up, because there is work to do in preparing for the arrival of Jesus. In the scriptures, John the Baptist is out preparing the way for the arrival of Jesus. His message is still relevant to us […]
What would make you filled with joy? Really-what would it take? In today's message Pastor Ross talks about Mary's Song and what true joy looks like.
Advent, a word that means "the coming," invites us to consider ways in which we can recognize God's presence even in the midst of our seasons of waiting.
We are being called to wake up, because there is work to do in preparing for the arrival of Jesus.
When the prophet Isaiah talks about Jesus, he tells us that a very different kind of king is coming into our world - Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.
As we prepare for the Thanksgiving Holiday we take time to reflect on the gratitude we have for all that God has done for us.
Most of us know the feeling of running on fumes. We need to make sure not to let life drain us so badly that we don't have anything left.
When God makes a call on our lives it can be scary. He pushes us outside our comfort zones.
Stories do more than recollect the past, they give us hope for the present, vision for the future, and bind us with others.
We are literally surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. The question we consider today is how will we be remembered?
Everything that we have ultimately comes from God. The first step in good stewardship is realizing this truth.
Episode 84: Give Differently – Rev. Ross Furio How many of us as kids sorted through our Halloween candy to gather up the best stuff for ourselves and then share the leftovers with others? In this message we explore what it means to give differently as followers of Christ and how that shift in generosity […]
We are beginning a new sermon series focused on looking at ways that we, as a people, can be difference makers in our world.
We are beginning a new sermon series focused on looking at ways that we, as a people, can be difference makers in our world.
Scripture reminds us over and over that God is faithful and keeps his promises.
When you set out on a journey and everything seems to be going wrong, you begin to wonder if you've made a huge mistake.
Johnny Cash embraced his weaknesses at the end of his life, and his trust that the grace of Christ was enough for him.
Friendships give us an opportunity to experience and practice sharing the grace of God.
The Man in Black was more than just a persona for Johnny Cash, it was how he lived. Join us as we look at how this persona intersected with the life of Jesus.
We are commanded by Jesus to reach out to the people that God places into our lives.
The Gospel According to Johnny Cash, in a lot of ways, is all about God's faithfulness.
We're called to love our neighbors like we love ourselves. But what does loving ourselves look like when it is pleasing to God?
Sometimes you realize that you have done something wrong and there is no way to hide from it. You have to face your guilt.
Sometimes you get very excited to try something new until the moment arrives and you find yourself terrified.
Chaos exists in this world and we have to be careful that it doesn't overwhelm us. God is very good transforming it into something good.
The religious leaders didn't care about the woman who was caught in adultery. They only wanted to use her to trap Jesus.
We have a choice to make, really it is a choice that we make everyday whether we realize it or not.
Ananias follows his call with faith and courage, and helps transform Saul into Paul – the most important leader in the early church.
Episode 67: Nameless: The Bleeding Woman – Rev. Ross Furio The bleeding woman might be nameless, but her story plays an important role in allowing us to see Christ’s healing power and compassion. She reaches out to Jesus, trusting that he can heal her, that he can make her whole. Are we doing the same? […]
Life and the world around us can be overwhelming. It's easy to become immersed in narratives of desolation and hopelessness.
Join us as we allow the compassion of Christ to fill our cups and send us out to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Our testimony is when we tell others of the ways and the times that God has touched our lives and made his presence know to us.
It's tempting to stand back and wag our finger at those who Jesus seems to speak against in the scriptures, but what if he's talking about us?
There are times that we find ourselves at a loss, not knowing what to say. The Holy Spirit steps in and prays for us when there are no words.
Has the storm around you become the storm within you? How do we find comfort and peace in the craziness of life?
God shows up in our world all the time and we need to pay attention so we can see the holy moments he is creating all around us.
Waiting is an ancient spiritual practice, and something that, no matter how hard we try to avoid it, will always find us.
Scripture tells us that we are created in the image of God, so that every time we look into someone's face we are looking into the face of God.
Perhaps leftovers have something to teach us about finding the grace of God alive and at work in our day-to-day lives!
We all know what we should be doing, but sometimes it's hard to make ourselves do it. But, through Jesus we become a new creation.
We usually have some sort of plan for our day each morning. But, nothing throws that plan into chaos like losing your keys.
Sometimes it is difficult to stand in the gap between being a follower of Jesus and a citizen in the world.
Habits are powerful, and they usually lead to some pretty big stuff. Reflect on the power of habits intersecting with our faith.
Even when it is difficult, we need to live out our Sunday morning faith in the world and open the door for others to learn about God through us.
There is no moment too small, routine, or ordinary for God to be a work, including the moment that we wake up.
We can know God the Father because he sent his son Jesus to live with us and show us his love.
Sometimes Jesus resurrection grace comes to us in very subtle moments. If we are not listening for Jesus' voice, we can miss his call.