The God Journey

Many people are substituting AI for their interactions with other human beings. From romantic relationships to therapy, even spiritual direction. Which brings up the question: Is it healthy to try to have heart-to-heart conversations with an algorithm, even one designed to mimic human responses? Humanity has always adapted to technological changes, but does it make us even more relationally challenged than religion did? AI unleashes some powerful tools that can be used for good, and at the same time, open doors for tremendous evil. As a mental health professional, Kyle is particularly concerned that this trend will do irreparable harm to human engagement in the process. Podcast Notes: Video recording of this podcast Wayne and Sara's trip through Colorado, South Dakota, Montana, and maybe Alberta before heading back for a lap around the Pacific Northwest. The post Authentic Relationship in an AI World? (#1002) first appeared on The God Journey.

It is easy to respond to someone's pain with love and prayers for healing, but what do you do when healing doesn't come? Many feel awkward, unintentionally withdrawing from the relationship because they don't know how to support someone negotiating chronic pain. Kyle and Wayne explore what it means to care about someone with a long term condition, whether it be emotional or physical. Can we sit with someone in pain and know that the power of our presence to hold it with them is as powerful as trying to get God to fix it? The best way to learn that is by discovering how God is present with us when we are in pain. Presence is everything! Podcast Notes: Video recording of this podcast Wayne and Sara's trip through Colorado, South Dakota, Montana, and maybe Alberta before heading back for a lap around the Pacific Northwest. The post Loving Through Chronic Pain (#1002) first appeared on The God Journey.

Many have said that when God closes a door, he always opens a new one. To which someone added, "But it's hell in the hallway." What do you do when your weekend meeting is no longer a place you can go? Having been alongside numerous people over the years, Kyle wants to know how Wayne helps others find their footing in Christ. They discuss not seeking the same kind of meeting again, but instead using some time to explore how deeply loved they are by God. Most legalistic groups prey on fear and guilt to try to keep people on the straight and narrow, and many lose sight of his love. The journey begins as we become settled in his love, and then watch the relationships he will add to our lives, and connections that are far richer than we may have known before. Podcast Notes: Video recording of this podcast Read all the emails we received to celebrate The God Journey. Hell in the Hallway - podcast from 2006 Wayne and Sara's upcoming trip through Colorado, South Dakota, Montana, and maybe Alberta before heading back for a lap around the Pacific Northwest. The post Finding Your Footing Again (#1001) first appeared on The God Journey.

Brad is in the house as he joins Wayne and Kyle to celebrate the unique legacy of The God Journey for our 1,000th episode. For twenty-one years, this podcast has helped people explore their own journey with Jesus and how to connect with him and others outside the box of religious obligation. They discuss their friendship, a new possibility for The Shack, and how their friendships have grown as they have explored their own God journeys in this format. They also read emails from our listeners, describing what The God Journey has meant to them over the years. Podcast Notes: We apologize, but there is no video recording of this podcast available. Read all the emails we received to celebrate The God Journey. The post Episode 1000 (#1000) first appeared on The God Journey.

Relationships face bumps, but it's essential to navigate through discord rather than discard them. The hosts discuss the responsibilities of love and care, highlighting how promises can validate personal growth. They also delve into the struggles of achieving genuine connection amidst societal pressures and scandals. Insights from therapy emphasize the importance of accountability in modern dating. Lastly, they tackle the divisions in communities, advocating for unity based on shared values and love, even in a fragmented spiritual landscape.

A couple of weeks ago, Kyle asked Wayne about his trip to Boise. This week, we have the opportunity to hear from someone who was present at that gathering and how it affected her. In her post, she described true fellowship as human, messy, and sacred. That depiction resonated with Wayne, causing him to wonder if our attempts to organize the messy out of human engagement also lose the sacred? Kyle and Wayne explore that question and her other comments. They also talk about finding joy every day, especially through challenging stretches of thealing or struggle. They begin by talking about moments where it seems the enemy is trying to steal their joy or creativity. Podcast Notes: The video recording of this podcast The post Human, Messy, Sacred (#998) first appeared on The God Journey.

What do you do when God doesn't do what your religion taught you he would do? Do you conclude that he must not be real, or do you throw out some of what you were taught to discover God as he really is? After a conversation about certainty being the opposite of faith, Wayne and Kyle process Wayne's recent trip to Boise. You can tell if someone is truly a leader in the body of Christ by whether they are an example of his love or if they consider themselves an exception to it. They also talk about how Jesus reveals his way to us as we learn to rely on his presence, not follow the rules or expectations of others. Podcast Notes: We're sorry, but due to a technical error, the video of this podcast is not available. The post When God Blows Up Our Box (#997) first appeared on The God Journey.

We are so accustomed to the fellowship that human effort can engender that many have lost sight of the path to relational community that comes from building friendships. After discussing testing boundaries and how the enemy twists our spiritual hungers into unattainable ideals, Kyle and Wayne explore a pathway to organic community. Beginning with our growing friendship with Father, Son, and Spirit, we are in a better place to take an interest in others and see where friendships develop and who is ready to share their Jesus journeys together. When friendship is the building block of community, people can share an environment where it is safe to be vulnerable and authentic. Podcast Notes: The video of this podcast  The post From Friendship to Community (#996) first appeared on The God Journey.

How does one find romantic love today, whether you are 19 or 68, and how does God fit into that part of your journey? Kyle has been speaking with many people who are struggling to find a connection in the current culture. Tracy Levinson and Wayne join him for a candid conversation about the desire for a mate and trusting God to provide one as you make yourself available to the kind of friendships that may reveal a lifelong love. They talk in candid terms about guarding your heart, finding contentment in God, so you're not so desperate to fill a hole in your life, expectations that can get in the way, dealing with the temptation toward casual sex, and the pain that pornography can do to a relationship. At 69 minutes, this one went into overtime. Podcast Notes: The video of this podcast, which only caught the first 38 minutes, will be available for only 30 days after recording. Past podcasts with Tracy Tracey's website Tracey's book unashamed: candid conversations about dating, love, nakedness, and faith The post Finding Romance on The God Journey (#995) first appeared on The God Journey.

As Kyle and Wayne dive into the mailbag, they find themselves discussing current "revival" tactics that trespass on unsuspecting people, navigating relationships in a polarized culture, and whether Jesus is waiting for an invitation from those close to him to come again and rescue the planet. There isn't so much an overarching theme here, but a lot of thoughts about how we best impact the culture in these perilous times. Podcast Notes: The video of this podcast, which is only available for 30 days after recording Email your observations about the God Journey, or your thoughts on finding romantic love, to Wayne or Kyle Wayne's blog on a new crisis in Kenya The last chapter of It's Time The post Loving Our Way Through the Culture (#994) first appeared on The God Journey.