Jesus the Legend

What if one of the reasons it's so hard to hear God's voice in difficult seasons is because our focus has shifted more toward ourselves than toward Him?Matthew 6:33 is my favorite scripture because it has led me through SO MANY weird and wonderful seasons. It says - “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”Now before anybody misunderstands me, I'm not saying we shouldn't pray. I'm not saying God ignores us when we're hurting. And I'm definitely not saying that if you're suffering it's because you're doing something wrong. Not at all.There may be seasons where we cry. There may be seasons where our hearts are broken. There may be seasons where the only prayer we can manage to get out is, "Jesus...help." God meets us there. He has always met people there and He won’t stop.The Psalms are full of people crying out in pain. David cried. Jeremiah cried. Job cried. Even Jesus wept. So this isn't about pretending pain doesn't exist. It's about asking a different question.What if… instead of spending every waking moment asking God to change our situation… We spent some of that energy changing someone else's day? What if instead of waiting to FEEL like serving… we simply went out and loved somebody? What if we stopped measuring whether God was speaking by how emotional our prayer time felt… and started discovering Him in the moments we choose to encourage someone else?Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

Hey everyone and welcome back to Jesus the Legend. I’m so excited to welcome Brian Zahnd to the podcast today!Brian is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. He is also a pastor-theologian who has authored eleven books, including When Everything’s on Fire, The Wood Between the Worlds and Sinners In the Hands of a Loving God - which I’m hoping to talk about today. Brian is enthusiastic about music, literature, mountains, and long-distance pilgrimages.I know you're really going to enjoy this conversation… So grab a coffee, get comfortable, and let's jump in the deep end with Brian Zahnd.Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

Hey everyone! Welcome back to Jesus the Legend. Thanks so much for joining me today!I'm really excited to have Trevor Meier on the podcast! After spending nearly thirty years in pastoral ministry, Trevor stepped away from traditional church leadership to follow a deeper conviction: the reality that the Good News is not about striving, separation, or exclusion but about what has already been finished in Christ.This shift marked the beginning of a new season focused on uncovering the Gospel as it was always meant to be heard.Through Beautiful Gospel Gatherings, online courses, and digital content, Trevor creates spaces where people can slow down, ask honest questions and rediscover faith as rest rather than performance.Trevor lives in Alberta with his wife Melanie. They have three children: two daughters who work in health care and a son with a passion for vehicle restoration and business. As a family, they value presence and a life shaped by grace.I guarantee this episode is going to bless your socks off... So grab a seat and let's get into my conversation with Trevor Meier.https://www.trevormeier.ca/Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

Hey everyone and welcome back to Jesus the Legend.I’m so excited to welcome Dr. Steve McVey to the podcast today!Steve is a husband, father, grandfather, lifelong learner, and someone with a wide range of interests—from theology and spirituality to music, movies, and even quantum mechanics.He’s a man who genuinely enjoys life and has spent decades helping others discover the life and freedom that God has for them.Over the years, Steve has spoken on six continents, taught through television and radio, and written more than two dozen books, including a best-seller.Steve's teaching comes from his own journey.... His books and messages reflect what he has learned along the way and are filled with spiritual insight, practical wisdom, encouragement, and plenty of grace.Steve says that he’s not a religious man, but he is deeply spiritual. His greatest passion is helping people experience the life they were created to know and enjoy.I think you're really going to enjoy this conversation. So grab a coffee, settle in, get comfortable, and let's listen to what Dr. Steve McVey has to share.Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

Hey everyone and welcome to Jesus the Legend!Today on the podcast I’m chatting with Matt Spinks. Matt and his wife Katie have been in full-time ministry since 2008, and I think one of the beautiful things about their story is that they’d probably describe themselves as ordinary people who had an extraordinary encounter with the finished work of Christ and the glory of God.Out of that journey, they’ve spent years exploring the deep mystery and wonder of God’s love and grace, and sharing that good news with others in a really authentic and life-giving way. They are also currently working with YWAM, continuing to encourage and equip people in their walk with God.They’re also parents to two wonderful kids, Samuel and Rainbow, and a huge part of their heart is family, community, and simply living this thing out where they are — while also sharing the message online and with people around the world.I think you’re really gonna love this conversation.Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

Hey everyone, and welcome back to Jesus the Legend. As usual I am so glad you’re here with me... If you’ve been following the show for the last couple weeks, you know I had a really fun conversation with a friend of mine regarding Annihilationism or a “type” of Ahhihilationism.I want to take some time today to offer some personal thoughts regarding that chat through a different lens—the lens of a Father who never gives up.So, grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s talk about the heart of God how I see it.Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

Welcome back to Jesus the Legend. I’m really happy to welcome back to the show my New Zealand friend, Graeme Carle.Graeme has been with us before and we had a great conversation about tithing—so if you haven’t listened to that one yet, I’d encourage you to go back to Episodes 39 and 40. I think you’ll really enjoy it. Graeme has been working in churches for years and he has also worked part-time in the oil industry as a logistics analyst.He has done work in Nepal, with a medical mission before moving to Colorado as a Bible teacher and ministry trainer. He’s worked with YWAM, done itinerant ministry, taught systematic theology, conducted seminars, and just about everything else you can imagine.Today, we’re going to do something a little outside what we’ve done on the show before. As you may or may not know, there are a few different theologies around eternity and what happens after we die—there’s the view of hell as eternal conscious torment, which most of us are familiar with; ultimate reconciliation, which is where I would land, believing that God’s ultimate plan is to restore all of humanity; and then there’s annihilationism.I mentioned to Graeme the last time he was here that it would be interesting to have him on to talk about that perspective—not to argue or debate, but just to hear that side. And wherever you find yourself on these things, it’s good to remember—it’s not our views on eternity or the end times that get us into heaven, it’s Jesus. So we can have these conversations, love each other and rest easy.Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

Hey everyone, welcome back to Jesus the Legend… I’m really excited to let you know that we have Bill Vanderbush with us today, and we’re diving into some powerful and refreshing truths about Jesus and the heart of God.Bill is a third-generation minister, author, and speaker with over 25 years of pastoral experience. Growing up on the mission field and traveling the world, he developed a deep passion for introducing people to the resurrection power of Jesus Christ and empowering believers to live in the fullness of their identity in Him.His books explore mystical spirituality defined in Christ, the radical simplicity of the gospel, and the transformative fire of the Holy Spirit. Notable works include The Sound of Your Blood, The Fire is Not Optional and The Forgotten Way.Together with his wife Traci (who’s also an Author & Speaker), Bill travels extensively, speaking at conferences and gatherings to ignite faith and help others "invade the impossible." He currently resides in the Austin, Texas area.Again, thanks for joining in… let’s jump right in.Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

Hey everyone, welcome back to Jesus the Legend! I am so happy to say that we have David Artman back with us!David is a husband, banjo player, minister, and one of the leading voices in the world of Christian universalism. After more than 30 years in pastoral ministry, he’s now focusing on podcasting and engaging in the bigger spiritual conversations happening today.He’s the author of Grace Saves All: The Necessity of Christian Universalism where he makes the case that God’s grace ultimately redeems all people—not as a stretch of Scripture, but as its most beautiful fulfillment. Through his podcast, Grace Saves All – Christianity and Universal Salvation, he explores the depth of God’s love with theologians, pastors, and seekers alike.I’ve had David on the show before, and he’s just a great guy who’s genuinely passionate about sharing the good news that God’s grace is bigger than we’ve often imagined, and that His mercy truly endures forever.This time, though, we’re mixing things up a bit. Today we’re going to play a game I like to call “Stump the Universalist.” I’ll be stepping into the role of someone who believes in eternal conscious torment (which, to be clear, I definitely don’t—not even a little), and I’ll throw some commonly used Scriptures his way. Then we’ll let David walk us through how he understands them.It should make for a really fun—and helpful - conversation.So settle in and let’s see if we can put the Christian Universalist on the spot…Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

Hey everyone, welcome to Jesus the Legend. I’m really glad you’re here.Today’s conversation is one I’ve been looking forward to for a while because I think this is going to be a really honest and hope-filled chat PLUS I’ve got a couple of great guests joining me!Keith Giles who has been with us before - is a writer, speaker, and former pastor, best known for his work exploring the teachings of Jesus through a lens of grace, peace, and inclusion. After stepping away from traditional ministry, he’s focused on helping people rethink faith beyond fear-based theology and rediscover the radical love at the heart of the gospel. He’s the author of the Jesus Un series, Reading Romans Right, Sola Mysterium and a tonne of others, plus he’s a familiar voice across multiple podcasts, where he regularly engages conversations around nonviolence, and the nature of God.Stuart Deloney is a writer, podcaster, and former pastor, best known as the voice behind Snarky Faith—a platform where satire meets spirituality. After years in ministry, he stepped away from the pulpit to explore faith using humor, storytelling, and cultural critique to challenge the excesses and assumptions of modern Christianity. He’s also a contributor to platforms like Patheos and The Quollective, co-host of The Unlearning Curve podcast—and the author of The Tribulation Survival Guide, which is full-on satire.In this episode, we’re diving into the topic of the rapture—where this idea came from, why it’s become so widely believed, and whether it really holds up biblically. More importantly, we’re going to explore a more hope-filled and Christ-centered way of understanding the future—one that reflects the goodness of God and the heart of the gospel.Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

Hey everyone, welcome back to Jesus the Legend! I’m really excited about today’s conversation because we’ve got William Paul Young with us.Paul was born in Alberta, Canada, and his journey has been anything but boring. He’s been to Bible school, he was a radio DJ, a lifeguard, and worked in the oil fields of northern Alberta. Over the years he’s also been a business owner and employee, working across industries like insurance, construction, contract work, and food processing.He’s been married for decades to his wife Kim, and they’re proud parents to six kids, with two daughters-in-law, a son-in-law, and six grandkids.Most people know him as the author of The Shack — a book that has impacted millions around the world and sparked a lot of meaningful conversation (and yes, some controversy) about the nature and goodness of God. He’s also written Cross Roads, Eve, and Lies We Believe About God, each one inviting us to wrestle honestly with who God really is.And if you want more, he hosts The Paul Young Podcast, where those conversations keep going. There’s so much more I could say, but let’s get into it… I’m just really grateful he’s here. Please welcome William Paul Young.Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

Hey everyone — welcome back to Jesus the Legend. As always, I’m so glad you’re here.Today I don’t want to talk about “where I am” like I’ve arrived somewhere. I want to talk about what I’ve learned. Because maybe you’re in the middle of some of the same tensions I’ve wrestled with over the years.For a long time, I thought you had to choose. You were either revival… or you were liturgy. You were fire… or you were form. You were Spirit… or you were structure. And I was a revival guy. No question. I thought everything else was boring and lifeless!I love passionate worship. Long altar times. Moments when the room feels electric. Tears. Joy. Laughter. Prophetic words. I want fire. I want encounter. I want something that feels alive.When I used to the word “mass” or “liturgy,” I’ll be honest — I translated that as: dead religion. Cold routine. Empty ritual. I assumed structure meant the Spirit wasn’t moving. However, over the last while I’ve learned that I was wrong.Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)

(Part 2 of 2) Hey everyone and welcome back to Jesus the Legend! Today I am sitting down for a chat with Brad Jersak! Now, if you haven’t heard his name I strongly recommend you check him out! Brad is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC and currently serves as the Principal of St. Stephen’s University in New Brunswick, where he continues as the Dean and faculty member of SSU’s School of Theology & Culture. He also teaches peace studies courses with The Jim Forest Institute and is a regular Open Table Conference crew lecturer.As if that isn’t enough, Brad is also part of the Plain Truth Ministries team, where he serves as Pastoral Scholar. He writes, edits, and does layout for CWR magazine, CWR press, and the CWRm blog.Through his books and seminars, Brad shares the good news that God is Love, perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ, and that God’s love heals wounded hearts and empowers us to heal this broken world.I’m so very thankful he has put some time aside to hang out with us because his teaching has really transformed the way I think in many ways. So get ready - you’re gonna love this.Intro/outro music licensed from Soundstripe (soundstripe.com)