#6: Why Christianity Is Still Relevant with Dr. Alister E. McGrath

Did you know friendship isn't just a social add-on or an emotional luxury? It's part of God's blueprint for life. So how do you build meaningful relationships in a world where we're more relationally disconnected than ever? Pastor and speaker Wayne Francis joins me to explore how Jesus modeled friendship—and what His example can teach us about doing relationships well. Drawing from Scripture, lived experience, and years of ministry in New York City, Pastor Wayne explains why meaningful friendship requires vulnerability—which can sound very scary, especially if you fear rejection, struggle to trust, or want to stay in control. But when your security and identity are rooted in Christ, it's not as risky as you may think. We talk about what it takes to move beyond surface-level connections, how to take the first step toward deeper friendship, and why vulnerability is worth the risk—even when it feels uncomfortable. So settle in, and let's learn how to do relationships like Jesus. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Get Wayne's book, Make Friends with Anyone: Practicing God's Design for Real Friendship in a Lonely World Visit Wayne's Website

Have you ever thought, "This is what I prayed for—so why am I struggling with it?" Maybe your prayer was answered, but now you're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or even sad. It can be confusing, right? Well, be encouraged, my friend, because today, author Melissa Miller helps us understand why living in God's "yes" can sometimes be harder than we expected. Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, and her own experience, Melissa explains why blessings can be both beautiful and difficult at the same time. She'll help you put words to what you're experiencing and see that just because you're struggling doesn't mean you're ungrateful or shouldn't feel the way you do. So, if you're living in a season you once prayed for but wondering why it feels so hard, listen in. You may discover that the mess doesn't mean something has gone wrong—it may simply mean you're still learning how to live in the blessing. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Hope of Heaven Tour Get Melissa's book, But I Prayed for This: What to Do When Living in God's Yes Is Harder Than You Expected Visit Melissa's Website

What do you do when life doesn't turn out the way you hoped—and you're left wondering, "Where are You, God?" Singer-songwriter, author, and my friend, Tammy Trent, knows that question personally. When a devastating tragedy struck, Tammy had to grieve not only what she had lost, but also release the life she thought she would have. It wasn't easy, but as she walked through her deep pain and loss, she learned to trust God's presence and character. So today, Tammy gives us biblical insight and practical tools for facing the hard questions we all ask in seasons of pain and disappointment. We talk about navigating unmet expectations and unanswered prayers, grieving without losing hope, and finding the strength to endure when life feels impossible. If you've ever felt like God is silent, distant, or nowhere to be found in the middle of your pain, Tammy will remind you that your questions don't disqualify your faith—and that you are never alone. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Listen to Tammy "spill the beans" with Ann Voskamp, Annie F. Downs, Liz Curtis Higgs, and Shaun Groves Get Tammy's book, Where Are You Now, God? Discovering the Unshakable Truth that You're Never Alone Visit Tammy's Website God is Just Not Fair: Finding Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense - book by Jennifer Rothschild Missing Pieces: Real Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense - Bible study by Jennifer Rothschild

What if the hard things in your life aren't just something to get through—but opportunities to grow stronger on the other side? In this episode, Leslie Bosserman and I talk about emotional endurance: what it is, why it matters to your faith, and how you can develop it even when you're not fully aware of your emotions. Leslie teaches you how to build your emotional muscles so you can face challenges and persevere through setbacks and disappointment. Plus, Leslie will teach you to "Say Goodbye to Someday," a skill that will help you stop living in the shoulds, coulds, and somedays and start asking what God might be doing in you right now. So, if you're facing a difficult season, feeling stretched too thin, or simply want to be prepared for whatever comes next, this conversation will give you practical tools to keep going, keep growing, and trust God with the process. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Get Leslie's book, Emotional Endurance: Faith-Fueled Skills for Bouncing Back Get your FREE GIFTS from Leslie Watch Leslie's TEDX talk Visit Leslie's Website Me, Myself, & Lies: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself - book by Jennifer Rotschild

Praying the same prayer every day might sound repetitive or rigid, but when Pastor Matt Smallbone made the radical decision to pray the Lord's Prayer every day for a year, it changed much more than his prayer routine. It changed his daily walk with God. In this episode, Matt talks about his "prayer experiment," sharing what he discovered about the barriers that keep us from prayer, how the Lord's Prayer gives us a framework without becoming a formula, and what he would say to those who feel reluctant or discouraged about prayer. And then… we're not just going to talk about prayer; we're going to pray together as worship leader and songwriter Michael O'Brien sings over us the Lord's Prayer. So, if you're wondering whether you're praying the "right" way, struggling to pray consistently, or questioning whether your prayers really make a difference, this conversation will meet you right where you are. *** THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13) LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Prayer Experiment: How Praying Like Jesus Realigns Everything - Our Thoughts, Our Hearts, and Our Posture Toward God and the World by Matt Smallbone When You Pray: A Study of Six Prayers in the Bible The Lord's Prayer - song by Michael O'Brien