Wheeler...Beyond Sunday

You can learn more by visiting Camp Bays Mountain's website at https://www.campbaysmountain.com/ which has links for registration, information about each camp offered, and also links for donating!

This special episode features an interview between Rev. Ginger Isom and Charles Maynard. An elder in the Holston Annual Conference, Charles Maynard has served many churches in Holston and has also served as a District Superintendent and as the Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries in Holston. In retired status, he now serves as the Pastor of Traditional Worship and Generosity at Cokesbury UMC in Knoxville, TN. In the mid 1990's to early 2000's, he took a hiatus from pastoral ministry to offer his gifts in other areas that are a passion of his -- the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the art of storytelling, serving as the Founding Director of the Friends of the Smokies, 1994-2002, and the Director of Advancement at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, TN, 2002-2004.

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In this episode of Wheeler… Beyond Sunday, Amanda, James, and Sarah dive deep into Ginger’s latest Lenten sermon, "Getting Needled." Inspired by the story of the rich man in the Gospel of Mark, the team explores the "hammer blows" of Jesus’ call to discipleship: Go, sell, give, come, and follow. From shocking statistics about the 300,000 items in the average American home to James’s prized "Space Jam" Jordan 11s, we’re getting honest about the clutter in our closets and our hearts. We discuss the sentimental weight of the things we keep, the "Marie Kondo" moments of our faith, and why Jesus "needled" the rich man not out of judgment, but out of genuine love. In this episode, we discuss: The Weight of Wealth: Why Americans own 40% of the world's toys and spend $45 billion on self-storage. Sentimental Struggles: Why it’s so hard to throw away a three-sizes-too-small t-shirt or a collection of Bath & Body Works candles. The "Whiteboard Night": Seeking signs and affirmation from Jesus in the middle of big life decisions. Making Room: How clearing out old Sunday school "clutter" (literal and figurative) made space for the growth of Wheeler’s children’s ministry. True Joy vs. Temporary Happiness: Finding the peace that doesn’t come from a Target "dollar spot" find, but from serving others. Reflection Question: Is the "treasure in heaven" enough for us, or is there something standing in the way of us following Jesus completely? Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: The "Fab Three" are back. 01:21 – Shocking Stats: 300,000 items and the storage unit boom. 06:44 – The Grail: James brings out the Space Jams. 09:18 – Sentimental Clutter: Why we give feelings to inanimate objects. 12:11 – The Rich Man’s Dilemma: Compliance vs. Inner Peace. 23:28 – The Five Imperatives: Go, Sell, Give, Come, Follow. 27:32 – "Sucker" for a Sale: Marketing tricks and local business. 37:52 – The Minimalism Experiment: Seeking peace through less. 46:57 – The History of Advertising: From war bonds to "drip." 57:31 – Letting Go of the Past: Lessons from Isaiah and Paul. 01:03:45 – Serving vs. Stuff: Where true joy is found. 01:08:51 – Closing Prayer. Connect with us: 📍 Visit us at Wheeler Church 🎧 Subscribe for more weekly reflections on faith, life, and the "Beyond Sunday" journey. #Lent #WheelerBeyondSunday #FaithAndFinances #Minimalism #ChristianPodcast #GospelOfMark #Community

Does wearing a Christian t-shirt or having an "I Am Second" bumper sticker make you a better Christian? What happens when our actions don't match the merchandise we wear? In this episode of Wheeler... Beyond Sunday, Derek, Jill, and Sarah dive into Pastor Ginger's challenging sermon, "Merch Doesn't Count." The crew kicks things off by talking about the merchandise we love to represent—from sports teams to WWJD and tap-to-pray bracelets—and how quickly the massive spiritual merch industry can become a trap if our hearts aren't in the right place. The conversation shifts into the danger of treating faith like a "good Christian" to-do list and the modern-day Pharisee trap of measuring our righteousness against others. The team reacts to a powerful story from Pastor Ginger about a heavily tattooed woman showing grace to a judgmental church couple at Captain D's, and they tackle what might be the hardest area of judgment for believers to drop today: politics. Join us as we discuss what it really means to ditch the checklist, let go of our judgment, and truly take up our cross in our daily lives. Episode Chapters 00:00 - Intro & The merch we wear (Braves, Bengals, & Diet Coke) 02:07 - Christian merch: WWJD, Verselets, & Tap-to-Pray Bracelets 06:48 - When bad behavior ruins the Christian bumper sticker 10:10 - The danger of the "Good Christian" checklist 16:04 - The Pharisee vs. Tax Collector: Comparing our faith 20:33 - Pastor Ginger's Story: Tattoos, Captain D's, and unexpected grace 25:21 - The hardest judgment to drop: Politics & Faith 29:48 - Ditching the checklist & actually taking up your cross 33:24 - Closing Prayer About Wheeler... Beyond Sunday Faith doesn't end when you leave the building. Wheeler... Beyond Sunday is a podcast by Wheeler United Methodist Church designed to keep the conversation going all week long. Join us as we explore scripture, tackle real-life questions, and grow together as a community. Connect with us! 🔔 Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode! 👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, please like the video and leave a comment below about a time you had to ditch the "checklist" in your own faith journey. 🌐 Learn more about our church and ministries at: WheelerChurch.com

Have you ever had all your life plans work out exactly the way you envisioned? Yeah, us neither. In Episode 13 of Wheeler... Beyond Sunday, Amanda, James, Derek, and Aubrey sit down to discuss the kickoff of our new Lenten sermon series. Drawing from Pastor Ginger's recent message on the Gospel of Matthew, the group talks about what happens when Jesus brings us to a "crossroad" and inevitably interrupts our best-laid plans. ​ From the disciples abruptly dropping their fishing nets to our own modern-day struggles with giving up control, we explore what it truly means to trade our comfortable expectations for God's better purpose. The team shares personal stories of navigating unexpected life changes, job transitions, and the humbling reality that following Jesus doesn't always make life easier. We also dive into Wheeler UMC's recent strategic reset, discussing the difficult but necessary process of releasing outdated traditions so the church can reignite its mission for the future. ​ Join us as we challenge our comfortable notions of what church "should" be and learn to embrace the crossroads. ​ Episode Chapters 00:00 - Intro, Coffee, & Kicking off Lent 02:37 - Do your life plans ever work out perfectly? 06:04 - Dropping the nets: The reality of answering Jesus' call 16:30 - Pastor Ginger: "The best-laid plans of mice and men" 23:20 - The Disciples' confusion when their expectations were shattered 32:20 - What does following Jesus actually cost us today? 36:12 - Pastor Ginger: Giving up something good for something better 45:40 - Wheeler's Strategic Reset: Reflect, Release, Reframe, Reignite 54:17 - Challenging our comfortable notions of church About Wheeler... Beyond Sunday Faith doesn't end when you leave the building. Wheeler... Beyond Sunday is a podcast by Wheeler United Methodist Church designed to keep the conversation going all week long. Join us as we explore scripture, tackle real-life questions, and grow together as a community. Connect with us! 🔔 Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode! 👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, please like the video and leave a comment below with a time your plans were changed for the better.

Welcome back to Wheeler Beyond Sunday! 🎙️ We close out Pastor Ginger's "Prayer Pressure Problems" series with what might be the most challenging sermon of the bunch — and the most timely. This week, James, Jade, and Sarah tackle Jesus's jaw-dropping command from the Sermon on the Mount: Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. He's kidding, right? From a church member's stunning act of grace at the scene of a tragedy, to MLK preaching forgiveness while fire hoses and police dogs were turned on his people, to a friendship that started with middle school rivalry and ended with a best man speech — this episode gets personal, honest, and occasionally convicting. In This Episode: The shocking response of a grieving church member that stopped Ginger in her tracks Why "love your neighbor" was already a stretch — and "love your enemy" felt impossible How our political and ideological divides have given us new "enemies" we didn't have before James's best friend who he couldn't stand in seventh grade (yes, really) MLK's sermon "Loving Your Enemies" and how he said it while living it What "being perfect as God is perfect" actually means in Wesleyan theology (spoiler: it's more doable than it sounds) Henry Nouwen on why prayer for enemies is the most powerful — and most difficult — prayer there is 📚 Scripture & Resources Referenced: Matthew 5:43-48 (Love your enemies) Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., "Loving Your Enemies" Henry Nouwen, Letters to Marc About Jesus Sermon Excerpt: Pastor Ginger reads MLK's powerful words on finding the image of God even in those who hate you — and reminds us that image cannot be erased. Whether you're struggling with a fractured friendship, a family divided by politics, or just someone who cut you off on the way to work, this episode asks the question: Have you prayed for them yet?

In this episode, we tackle one of faith's hardest questions: Is God even listening when our prayers seem unanswered? Join Amanda, James, Sarah, and Aubrey as they get vulnerable about times they've questioned whether God hears them—from personal tragedies to watching others receive miracles while feeling left behind. We explore the real meaning behind Jesus' words about prayer in their original Greek context, discuss how to celebrate answered prayers without hurting those still waiting, and examine Mother Teresa's surprising struggle with feeling God's silence. Topics Discussed: Crisis of faith from unanswered prayers Why "ask and you shall receive" doesn't mean what we think The difference between miracles and "ordinaries" How "thoughts and prayers" can become a call to action Mother Teresa's decades of spiritual darkness Finding peace when God's answer is "not yet" or "no" This continues our sermon series "Prayer, Pressure, Problems" with Pastor Ginger's message on finding reassurance that we're always at the center of God's heart—even when it feels like our prayers fall on deaf ears.

In this episode, Amanda, James, Sarah, and Jill discuss the third sermon in Pastor Ginger's "Prayer Pressure Problems" series: "We Can't Hide." Drawing from Psalm 139, the group explores a fascinating Cambridge study about how preschool children believe they can't be seen if they don't make eye contact—and how we as adults do the same thing with God. They open up about times they've tried to hide from God due to shame, anger, grief, or fear of disappointing Him. In this episode: Why we avoid keeping company with God when we're struggling The pressure to be "perfect Christians" and how it affects our prayer life Personal stories about mental health, loss, and trying to hide brokenness from God Sarah's powerful plant analogy about what grows in the light vs. what we keep in darkness Why God already knows our secrets and loves us anyway What to say to someone who's afraid to pray The conversation reminds us that we are always in God's presence, fully known and fully loved—and that there's nothing we could do or be that would take that love away. Scripture: Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 Join us as we discuss what it means to stop hiding and start keeping company with the God who's been waiting for us all along.

Join Pastor Ginger Isum in conversation with Renie Morris, certified spiritual director and lay leader for the Tennessee Valley District of the Holston Annual Conference, as they explore what it means to "keep it real" in prayer. In this episode of Wheeler...Beyond Sunday, we continue our series on prayer by addressing the pressure many of us feel to pray "the right way". Ginger and Renie discuss how our unique personalities, life stages, and circumstances should shape our prayer practices—not conform to someone else's spiritual rhythms. In this conversation, you'll discover: Why "pray as you can, not as you can't" is transformative advice How everyday activities like baking bread, knitting, folding laundry, and walking can become sacred prayer time The difference between spiritual direction and therapy, and how a spiritual director can help you discern God's movement in your life Practical ways to develop prayer rhythms that fit your real life—not an idealized version Why it's okay to address God in ways that feel authentic to you How labyrinths, breath prayers, and centering prayer can help when words fail Whether you've struggled with journaling, felt guilty about your prayer life, or wondered if there's more to prayer than Sunday morning, this honest conversation offers permission to meet God exactly as you are.  

Welcome back to Wheeler Beyond Sunday! In this week’s episode, Pastor Ginger is joined by her "BFF" and special guest, Pastor Patrice Wells from Liberty Hill United Methodist, for an honest and refreshing conversation about prayer. As Wheeler begins a new five-week series on "Prayer Pressure Problems," Ginger and Patrice pull back the curtain on the struggles even clergy face when it comes to connecting with God. They dismantle the myth that prayer requires a "special voice" or eloquent words, instead defining it through a beautiful and simple lens: Keeping company with God. From the "crop duster" prayers of daily life to the profound "dark night of the soul," this episode explores why we often put too much pressure on ourselves and how to find our way back to a natural, sacred dialogue with the Divine. Highlights include: The "Prayer Voice" Myth: Why we don't need to pray like the "saints of old" to be heard. The Power of Silence: Learning from Ginger’s New Mexico desert experience and the beauty of just being in the same "room" as God. Prayer as Transformation: Moving past the "effectiveness trap" to see how prayer changes us rather than just our circumstances. The Theology of Breath: A powerful look at how every breath we take is literally an utterance of the Divine name. Navigating the Wilderness: Honest reflections on praying through grief, loss, and the times when words simply won't come. Whether you feel like your prayer life has hit a wall, you're struggling with the "busyness" of life, or you just need to be reminded that God is as close to you as your own breath, this episode offers a warm and grace-filled space to breathe and begin again. Join the conversation as we learn to take the pressure off and simply enjoy the companionship of the Father! Scripture Reference: Luke 5:16 (and Jesus’s various withdrawals to prayer throughout the Gospel of Luke) Wheeler Beyond Sunday is a podcast where we continue the conversation from Sunday morning, diving deeper into the sermon and exploring what it means to live out our faith throughout the week.

Welcome back to Wheeler Beyond Sunday! In this week's episode, Amanda, James, Jill, and Derek dive deep into Ginger's powerful sermon on breakthrough prayer, based on Luke 3:21-22 and 4:1-13. As we step into the new year, the team explores what it truly means to pray for God's guidance and surrender our will to His. They discuss the challenge of living into our prayers versus simply saying them, wrestle with the age-old struggle of giving up control, and unpack the profound mystery of Jesus being fully human and fully divine. From personal prayer practices in the car and shower to Wesley's Covenant Prayer, the conversation gets real about why it's so hard to let go and let God. The team also examines Jesus's baptism and wilderness temptation, discovering fresh insights into His humanity and what it means that God, through Jesus, has experienced everything we experience. Highlights include: Why "your will be done" is harder than it sounds The power of breakthrough prayer in both personal and church life Wrestling with Jesus's humanity in the wilderness Wheeler's new church-wide breakthrough prayer initiative The importance of dreaming big dreams without limits Whether you're struggling to surrender control, looking for a fresh start in your prayer life, or wondering what it means to be part of a "set apart" community, this episode offers honest conversation and practical encouragement. Join the conversation and share your own breakthrough prayer experiences with us! Scripture Reference: Luke 3:21-22, 4:1-13 Wheeler Beyond Sunday is a podcast where we continue the conversation from Sunday morning, diving deeper into the sermon and exploring what it means to live out our faith throughout the week.

Welcome back to Wheeler Beyond Sunday! 🎙️ We're kicking off 2026 with the story of the Magi and their journey to meet Jesus — a story packed with great expectations. In This Episode: Why winter might be the worst time to make New Year's resolutions (and why we do it anyway) The three hawks that circled like the Trinity on moving day Amanda's beach notebook moment: "I can hear you calling. What is it?" How Janie and Deb poured from full cups into empty ones during camp week Derek's story of being unwelcome but finding Jesus in a Chicago church Sarah's Wednesday night dinner origin story at Wheeler What it means that the Magi — outsiders, Gentiles, foreigners — were welcomed by Mary and Joseph 📚 Scripture & Resources Referenced: Matthew 2:1-12 (The Magi's journey) William Barclay's Daily Bible Studies Commentary Sermon Excerpt: Pastor Ginger shares her hawk/Trinity moment and asks: "Do we expect to meet Jesus when we wake up in the morning? At the grocery store? In the homeless person standing on the street?" Whether you're a resolution-maker or not, this episode will challenge you to live expectantly in 2026 — watching for God in creation, trusting His guidance even when it makes zero sense, and extending radical hospitality to everyone we meet. Pull up a chair and join the conversation. ✨

Welcome back to Wheeler Beyond Sunday! 🎙️ In this fourth week of Advent, James White, Amanda White, Derek Harding, and Jill Taylor tackle a question most of us have never considered: What if Mary had said no? We're taking a fresh look at Mary—not as a silent figure in a nativity scene, but as a courageous teenage girl who risked everything to say yes to God. Why did God choose someone so young, so insignificant, from such an obscure place? And what does her story teach us about our own response to God's call? Whether you're making excuses about why you can't serve, clinging to control of your carefully planned life, or wondering if you're really equipped for what God is asking of you, this conversation is for you. Pull up a chair—we're getting honest about openness. In This Episode: How Protestants view Mary (and why we're not quite sure what to do with her) Why God consistently chooses the humble and insignificant for His greatest work The real risks Mary took: death by stoning, social exile, poverty, and abandonment Was Mary "meek and mild" or a woman of fierce courage and backbone? Wrestling with free will: Did Mary really have a choice, or did God already know her answer? The excuses we make when God calls us (and why they don't work) How surrendering control challenges us—especially when we think we know best Recognizing and encouraging the "Mary" in others around us 📚 Resources & Scripture Referenced: Luke 1:26-38 (The Annunciation - Gabriel's visit to Mary) Romans 12:1 (Paul's call to be "living sacrifices") Reflections from Amanda's Advent Bible study on being "anointed by God" Historical context: Nazareth as an insignificant town of 300-400 people Elizabeth's role in affirming Mary (Luke 1:39-45) Sermon Excerpt: Pastor Ginger shares the moment in her Advent study when someone asked, "What if Mary had said no?"—and how she'd never even considered Mary's free will before. 🎄 Advent Series: Stillness | Longing | Openness | Wonder This conversation will challenge you to ask: What would happen if I said no to God? Who wouldn't hear about Jesus because I closed the door? If you've ever felt inadequate for the task God is calling you to, or if you're struggling to let go and trust His plan, this episode will encourage you to find the "Mary within you."

Welcome to a special episode of Wheeler Beyond Sunday! 🎙️ This week, Pastor Ginger and McKenzie Wyatt-Hartgrove (mental health therapist at Wheeler) have an honest, heartfelt conversation about the struggles many face during the holiday season. Recorded during a difficult time for Ginger personally, this episode gets real about grief, loneliness, addiction recovery, and finding peace when Christmas doesn't feel merry. Whether you're missing a loved one this year, feeling isolated in your community, navigating sobriety during a high-risk season, or just struggling to find joy amid the chaos, this conversation is for you. Pull up a chair — you're not alone in this. In This Episode: Why 89% of Americans report increased stress during the holidays How to navigate that first (or second) holiday season after loss When grief becomes debilitating and needs professional help The importance of boundaries and learning to say "no" Practical ways to honor loved ones during the holidays Supporting friends and family who are struggling (and what NOT to say) Finding community when you feel alone 📚 Resources & Service Announcement: Blue Christmas Service: December 21st, 6pm at Wheeler UMC (211 North Sandth Street, near Tri-Cities Airport) A quiet, reflective worship service for those struggling during the holiday season Statistics from the American Psychological Association (2023 survey on holiday stress) This is not your typical holiday episode — and that's exactly why it matters. If you or someone you know is struggling this season, we hope this conversation brings comfort, validation, and practical support.

Welcome back to Wheeler Beyond Sunday! 🎙️ In this second week of Advent, James, Derek, Sarah, and Amanda dive into Pastor Ginger's sermon on "Longing" — and it gets real. We talk about the parts of Christmas no one posts on Instagram: feeling abandoned by God, being angry in the desert, and why it's okay to lament during the "most wonderful time of the year." Whether you're grieving a loved one this Christmas, struggling with your mental health, or just feeling like God isn't listening, this conversation is for you. Pull up a chair — we're getting honest. In This Episode: Personal stories of feeling forsaken by God (and what happened after) Why we're afraid to voice our deepest longings The Dietrich Bonhoeffer quote that changed how we see God's presence How writing laments (or listening to Lauren Daigle) can bring healing Who has "birthed Jesus" for you in hard times? 📚 Resources & Citations Referenced: Isaiah 64:8-12 (The prophet's lament after exile) Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison (1944) Fred Rogers on "looking for the helpers" Blue Christmas Service announcement (December 21st, 6pm) Sermon Excerpt: Pastor Ginger shares her story of screaming at God in the New Mexico desert — and why God can handle it.

Welcome to the very first episode of Wheeler Beyond Sunday! 🎙️ In this premiere episode, Jade, Derek, Sarah, and Amanda sit down to unpack Pastor Ginger’s first Advent sermon: "Stillness." We discuss the chaos of the holiday season, why we are so afraid to slow down, and how to practice "Prayerful Attention" amidst the noise. Whether you are struggling with Christmas FOMO, trying to survive a trip to Walmart, or just looking for a moment of peace, pull up a chair and join the conversation. In This Episode: Why we feel the need to "hurry" to Christmas. The shepherds and the art of noticing God. Practical ways to find stillness (even with toddlers!). Reaction to Pastor Ginger’s "Most Busiest Time of the Year" song. 📚 Resources & Citations Referenced: Quote on "Restless Overactivity": From Lean Toward the Light this Advent & Christmas by Rev. Jeannie Kendall. Concept of "Prayerful Attention": From Right Here, Right Now: The Practice of Christian Mindfulness by Amy Oden.