In a world that seeks to crush us into its mold, having the space to contemplate, explore, question, and grow is a rare and delicious treat. That's where Wayne and Kyle landed today after reading an email from a listener. That thread ran through their other conversation about seeing beyond the home team/away team binary that religion throws at us and how listening to God has changed over the course of their lives. They also discuss how we can better facilitate that space for others instead of trying to cram the breath of the Spirit into a curriculum, presentation, or system.
Podcast Notes:
The video recording of this podcast.
When the Maps Run Out - the podcast Wayne referred to in this podcast.
Lifestream Store with 25% discount through Christmas with the promo code: Christmas 25
The post Finding the Space to Explore (#1013) first appeared on The God Journey.
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43:56
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43:56
Communing with God (#1012)
Kyle's away this week, so an old friend joins in. Brad Cummings was co-host of The God Journey for 700+ episodes, and joined us most recently on #1000. Many of you asked to have him back again, so he joins Wayne for a conversation about equipping people to engage a real presence when they give their hearts to Jesus. Instead of training them to be good Christians, might it be more valuable to help them learn to live from their hearts in growing communion with God? This is the essence of the New Covenant, not to be led by programs and rituals, but to connect to God's presence in them so that they can be drawn into the adventure of following him and find increasing freedom in his transformation.
Podcast Notes:
Sorry, we did not make a video of this podcast
A Man Like No Other, which Brad talks about on the podcast
The post Communing with God (#1012) first appeared on The God Journey.
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44:16
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44:16
Performative or Transformational? (#1011)
It was a tale of two cities over consecutive weekends that got this conversation going. Wayne shares about his experience with former 2x2 members in the South, and then he went with Sara to their 50th college reunion at Oral Roberts University. As Wayne processes those experiences with Kyle, they find themselves contrasting performative Christianity to a doctrine or program and a transformational journey that comes from an ever-deepening engagement with God's love. As part of that conversation, they read through Psalm 15 as it describes the company of the just, where God wants to make his presence known.
Podcast Notes:
The video recording of this podcast
The post Performative or Transformational? (#1011) first appeared on The God Journey.
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44:01
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44:01
The Pain of Moral Injury (#1010)
Kyle surprises Wayne with a new term that is being utilized in trauma work—moral injury. This happens when someone, either by choice or coercion, acts in opposition to their deep moral framework. It causes significant damage not only to the one who does it, but to the people impacted by his actions. It is especially troublesome in religious contexts where such betrayal can even destroy our ability to believe in God. They highlight the challenges of healing from such injuries, noting that they often affect a person's identity, worldview, and ability to trust others. They talk about betrayal and how to move beyond it to healing, highlighting the transformative power of God's love and the ability to find purpose in suffering. They end with the idea that the painful groanings of that injury may, in part, be the prayers that are too deep for words.
Podcast Notes:
The video recording of this podcast
Moral Failings in the Pulpit Lead to Moral Injury in the Pews
Identifying and Addressing the Hidden Cost of Moral Injury
Moral Injury and Spiritual Recovery
The post The Pain of Moral Injury (#1010) first appeared on The God Journey.
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45:15
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45:15
When Fear Trumps Endearment (#1009)
Following up on last week's podcast, Kyle and Wayne begin by discussing the power of presence to shape our lives in love. They agreed that religion often removes the focus on presence, offering instead a system of rules and certainty that doesn't lead to an authentic connection with God. By motivating people's fear, Christianity has often prioritized fear and control over genuine spiritual transformation. How different would our influence be in the world if love were our foundation? They conclude with a conversation about a false application of Ordo Amoris, which falsely allows us to be selective in those we love, allowing us to treat others with contempt.
Podcast Notes:
The video recording of this podcast
It's Not Chocolate - an earlier podcast
The post When Fear Trumps Endearment (#1009) first appeared on The God Journey.
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