That wisdom Jesus just gave you, did he intend that to be a lens to judge others with or a mirror to reveal what he is doing in you? Kyle and Wayne examine a number of questions that can help people be more responsive to the work of Jesus around them. Why does God seem to hem us in with circumstances that offer us little choice at times and at others only gentle nudges? What questions do you run from, or what conversation are you trying to avoid? Do you humanize the people you're at odds with or stereotype them dismissively? Are you living in the frenzy of the human effort or the flow of his Spirit? And finally, why did most Israelites miss the revelation they were waiting for in Jesus, and why did only a few recognize him? Podcast Notes: * The video recording of this podcast. * Brené with Dr. Shawn Ginwright on The Four Pivots: Reimagining Justice, Reimagining Ourselves    

“It is very difficult for the good in people to put in place a system that can tamp down the ugly in humanity.” This observation strikes to the heart of Wayne's journey. Having spent twenty years of "ministry" trying to find that structure, he has spent the last thirty years commending that task to Jesus and learning to love others as freely as he's been loved. That begins a conversation with Kyle that leads them back to the Charismatic Revival Fury they covered last week. What can go wrong when we seek a human-designed structure to protect us and the kingdom? It has led many well-meaning brothers and sisters astray. Does the life of Jesus lead us to dominate the systems of this word, or does it draw us to lay our life down in the same way Jesus did for the good of others? Podcast Notes: * The video recording of this podcast. * The audi-documentary referred to in this podcast:  Charismatic Revival Fury - an audio documentary.  

A significant number of people involved in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol were spurred on by a group, claiming to be apostles and prophets equipped to take dominion over America's mountain of governance. Furthermore, they thought that God would miraculously restore President Trump to power that day and in doing so launch the Third Great Awakening, a long-hoped-for revival of Charismatic Christians, according to researcher Dr. Matthew D. Taylor.. Kyle and Wayne take a look at the information about these brothers and sisters, their ambitions in the Trump Presidency, and how they hoped "to rule and reign through Donald Trump." How did their pursuit of spiritual authority drive them away from the purity and simplicity of devotion to Jesus? (If you want to comment on this, please do so on the blog or by email ([email protected]). Podcast Notes: * The video recording of this podcast. * Politicology Podcast - Holy War * Politicology Podcast - Holy War II, which was released after this recording was made. * Charismatic Revival Fury - an audio documentary  

"Real faith doesn't rest on what God can do, but what God is doing." When our aspirations turn into expectations of God or ourselves, a life of frustration awaits. By losing sight of the process of God's work in us, we will either blame God or ourselves when we don't see the fruit we hope for. In this episode, Wayne and Kyle revisit their conversation about anticipation and capacity with some of our listeners, keeping in mind that increasing our capacity is not ours to do but what God is doing in us. But first, they talk about dealing with changes in life—of loss and disappointment—and how to deal with them in a way that heals the past and opens doors in the present. They also spend some time on the phrase "speaking my truth." Podcast Notes: * The video recording of this podcast. * Dana's Poem    

Are like-minded people the best ingredients for fellowship and community? They are if you want to stay stuck in the status quo. Growth, however, means we still consider where we may be getting it wrong and what other roads God might invite us to go down. After discussing not haunting people with ghosts of their past and finding a faithful confidant to process your journey, Kyle and Wayne discuss the idea that you are best positioned to grow and face tragic moments of your life if you have a "diversified therapeutic web of relationships." That is social science talk for having a network of people who don't all think the same way so that you can discover a wider group of options and a better way of thinking. Podcast Notes: * We're sorry, but we had a glitch in the recording of this podcast, and it got lost. * Wayne's blog on the power of relationships with older brothers that have shaped his life.

"My Christian upbringing left me ill-prepared for sexual intimacy in marriage by filling it with shame and creating unrealistic expectations." Kyle was a panelist for his university's "Sex in the Dark," a confidential opportunity for students to ask questions about sex. With that lament, Kyle invites Wayne into the conversation and whether or not he had the same experience. At a time when the world despises monogamy as a complicating factor in sexual expression, they celebrate what learning love, respect, and care for another human being over a lifetime can do to enhance joy and intimacy inside marriage. They talk about the damage false expectations generated by Christian teaching and Hollywood productions can do to a mutually satisfying sexual engagement filled with tenderness and romance. Podcast Notes: * Sorry, there was no video recording made of this podcast.

The way of Jesus in a world of chaos is not as easy as some would have you believe. Wayne and Kyle discuss the difficult road we face when Jesus invites us to challenge the darkness that deceives us from within, to respond with love when others give us vengeance, or to live with integrity when all around us abandon it for personal expedience. There's a reason why more people aspire to wholeness than are willing to follow Jesus to get there. They also revisit two themes of recent podcasts that have continued to impact their own journeys: holding the difference between aspiration and capacity and finding the redemption story already unfolding in people around us. Podcast Notes: * The video recording of this podcast. * Bésame Ice Cream in Austin, TX    

As Sara and Wayne complete their trip through the middle of the U.S., they reflect on Sara's trauma story and how she continues to take on the ramifications of darkness that held her captive for so long. She talks about the exhaustion of sorting through the coping mechanisms that helped her survive in times of threat but now hold her back from living wholeheartedly. By recognizing them and acknowledging their failure to keep her say, she can look for the options that life and love would give her. As she is coming to rest in knowing she will have what she needs as life unfolds, she will no longer need to navigate the anxiety of her worst-case scenarios. Podcast Notes: * Sorry, there is no video recording of this podcast. * Dana's Poem on Allowing My Past Catch Up with Me * Wayne's blog on How Do You End Your Day?

Beneath the attempts of darkness to twist our lives into ever-greater bondage is the Spirit of God inviting us into the glorious light of God's love and wisdom. Friend, occasional guest, and author Tracey Levinson joins Wayne as they both celebrate the redemption story unfolding in each of their lives and help you find the one unfolding our yours. We find ours best when we find hope in the reality that Father is really good and that he is with us. We help others as we entrust them to God, realizing he has access to them internally and loves them more than we do. When we walk alongside them without fear we know how to encourage our adult children, spouses, or good friends instead of distracting them with our fears and expectations. Podcast Notes: * Sorry, there is no video recording of this podcast. * Past podcasts with Tracey * Tracey's website * Tracey's book unashamed: candid conversations about dating, love, nakedness, and faith

What is the difference between sacrificing our lives for the kingdom and self-denial? It's easy to confuse the two and try to exploit our sacrifice to gain benefit from God. But isn't that self-serving in the name of sacrifice? When Jesus told his disciples that they must deny themselves and take up their cross, he was talking about the cost and risk of following him, not a means to manipulate him. Wayne and Kyle discuss the distinction after reflecting on what it will be like to behold God for the first time face-to-face. Podcast Notes: * Here is the video of our recording session. * The Jesus Lens