Our apologies to all those looking for today’s podcast. Unfortunately the audio file was not actually on the server. We are working to rectify that now. Give us a few minutes. We were wondering if anyone was still listening to this podcast, and judging from my email today, I guess we still have a number of passionate listeners. Sorry to tantalize you today with an empty file…
The earthquake in Haiti and Pat Robertson’s comments about it open up a discussion about the difference between enduring suffering from a religious platform and embracing a Loving God in the midst suffering. Steve McVey, author of Grace Walk and Walking in the Will of God, who was in the area and came by to meet Brad and Wayne, joins in the discussion. Unpacking the grace of a loving Father in the midst of suffering, is difficult to do when we are focused on the why-did-he-allow-this question instead the where-is-he-in-the-midst of this question.
Observations from the Gospel of John, mingled with love/hate letters from listeners, and an article in the New York Times send Brad and Wayne into a discussion about the obnoxious self, especially when it lures us into a religious performance treadmill we think we can control, and when it drives us to push others to do what we think is best for them. Only by knowing the incredible love of the Father can the deception and power of the obnoxious self be exposed and undermined so that we can truly live free and generously in the world.
“Ignorance does not result from what we don’t know! Ignorance results from what we think we do know—but don’t! Most ignorant people are, in fact, quite certain.” Sent in by a listener, that quote from Richard Rohr provokes Brad and Wayne into a discussion about truth, certainty, humility and how our ability to treat others changes when we view truth not as a set of propositions to embrace, but a Person to know and to follow.
Back from their end-of-the-year break, Brad and Wayne catch up with each other and some emails from listeners who share their own journey out of religious performance, to living loved. They describe well the process of moving from being painfully disillusioned about God and the church, to becoming gratefully disillusioned in their new-found freedom, joy and relationships. These stories underline the reality that this is a process, it takes some time and though the early days might be painful, the fruit that it yields is far and away worth taking the journey.
Nope, no podcast today. Brad and Wayne are still enjoying their end-of-the-year break, but they did want to wish a heartfelt “Happy New Year” to all their friends on The God Journey. All of us here pray this year will be full of new life and freedom as we all continue to grow in him and be increasingly transformed in his likeness.
Before we leave 2009 behind, however, we thought you might want enjoy a brief look back at the year that was.
“Knock! Knock!”
“Who’s there?”
“Orange.”
“Orange who?”
“Orange you glad we don’t have a video podcast?”
Imagine having to look at these expressions while trying to listen to the podcast, or even for Brad and Wayne to keep his next thought clear. You can click here or on the picture above to get a better look, if you want one that is! (Most of these must have come from their podcast on health care!)
Wayne and Brad pass on their Christmas greetings to The God Journey crowd as they take a couple of weeks off from recording to find some rest, refreshing and joy with family as well. We’ll be back on January 8, 2010. If you’ve listened well to us you’ll be able to thrive in this season without us. If you haven’t listened that carefully, there is an archive full of podcasts for your listening pleasure. Perhaps they will help you find great joy and comfort not in the theology of Christianity, but in the life of Jesus. Just use the links at left.
Brad is back from Nashville and Wayne from Brazil. They have lots of catching up to do and Wayne shares some of his experiences with brothers and sisters in Brazil. They also share some letters from other listeners, which causes them to contemplate a question too often ignored. Is the Bible is written to give us God’s requirements the requirements reluctant followers must follow, or to equip those who are hungry to know the Father and be transformed into his likeness.
What’s the difference between living with an expectancy in God’s unfolding purpose in our lives, and trying to get God to fulfill our expectations for our own convenience or for the ministry we want to have? A question Brad poses to Wayne opens up a dialog about what kind of expectancy they live in about the future and how being a part of God’s unfolding purpose sets us at rest as circumstances unfold because we no longer have to control them. They also talk about how that mentality reshapes our prayers for ourselves and for others.
Don’t you love meeting new people on this journey of living loved? Brad introduces Wayne to a good friend of his from Nashville who was visiting in Los Angeles. Chris DuPré is a musician, former pastor and wrote the music for the My Beautiful One CD available at Windblown Media. Chris has an inspiring story of being swallowed up in the love of God before he got sidetracked by the seducing power of religious performance, only to find his way once again back to his first love and a passionate, growing relationship with God. He will soon have a new website up about his journey at chrisdupre.org. 
