A Living Surrender

A Living Surrender

Author: Highland Park United Methodist Church - Dallas, Texas May 31, 2026 Duration: 36:58

Rev. Dr. Abe Smith | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide.

What does it mean to live with open hands and open hearts before God? Open hands are a posture of surrender—releasing our grip on the things we try to control and trusting God with what we carry. An open heart is a posture of receptivity—making space for God’s presence, guidance, and transforming love. Together, they describe a way of living that is neither clenched by fear nor closed off by self-reliance, but marked by trust, attentiveness, and availability to God.

As we grow in awareness of Christ’s love, our perspective begins to change. The moments we once rushed through or overlooked can become places of encounter with God. A conversation with a friend, a quiet morning cup of coffee, a difficult decision, an act of service, a walk through the neighborhood, or a prayer whispered in the middle of a busy day can become sacred moments. Not because the circumstances themselves are extraordinary, but because God is present in them. 

Living with open hands and an open heart is an invitation to discover that faith is not merely something practiced in church or reserved for special occasions. It is a way of being in the world—learning to recognize God's presence in the ordinary, trusting His care in every circumstance, and responding to His love with our whole lives. When we do, we often find that the sacred is woven into the fabric of our everyday experiences, and that God is closer than we imagined.


Each week, the sanctuary of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, becomes a source of spiritual reflection and grounded wisdom. This audio collection presents the traditional worship services and sermons from that sacred space. You’ll hear the thoughtful, scripturally-rooted preaching of Senior Minister Rev. Paul Rasmussen and Rev. Matt Tuggle, whose messages connect ancient faith to contemporary life with clarity and compassion. This podcast offers a consistent point of connection and contemplation, delivering the full experience of a Sunday service directly to you. It’s more than just a weekly talk; it’s an invitation into a community of faith that values tradition, deep thinking, and meaningful worship. Whether you’re a longtime member, a seeker exploring Christian thought, or someone who finds solace in structured liturgy and substantive sermons, these recordings provide a reliable rhythm of inspiration. Tune in for a moment of peace, a challenge to grow, and the enduring resonance of traditional Methodist worship, captured and shared for your journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

HPUMC - Sanctuary Sermons (Traditional Worship)
Podcast Episodes
Again I Say [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:46
Rev. Matt Tuggle
It Only Looks Empty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:34
Rev. Chip Robertson | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. We tend to fill the buckets of our lives with things that, in the end, fail us—these things are empty of the promises they held for us when we acq…
Thy Kingdom Come: A Final Image [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:33
Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In 2 Timothy 1:1-7, Paul reflects on the sincere and genuine faith that shaped Timothy’s life, which was first seen in his grandmother, Lois, and his…
An Unfeigned Faith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:18
Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide In 2 Timothy 1:1-7, Paul reflects on the sincere and genuine faith that shaped Timothy’s life, which was first seen in his grandmother, Lois, and his…
The Lord Bless You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:06
Rev. Chelsea Peddecord
Full of Emptiness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:31
Rev. Chip Robertson | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Empty. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “empty"? Sometimes it refers to the absence of something; we open a box, and there is nothin…
As You Go: Dress for the Job You Want [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:07
Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. What is downstream of you? You want to make a difference; all of us do. Who we are, what we value, how we speak, how we spend, how we love, how we fo…
As You Go: Glorious Power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:55
Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. God’s will is something we’ve all wrestled with at different points—whether we’re facing a major life decision like a move or career change or simply…
As You Go [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:51
Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. What next? Fortunately, we are not the first generation to ask that question. In fact, the first generation wanted to know the same thing. What now?…