I haven’t set foot in a church building since Easter. For someone who grew up never missing a Sunday, that feels wild to admit.

On this evening walk, I talk about what it’s been like to step away from the building and discover God outside of the programs, performances, and noise. I share how past breaks from church actually opened me up to something deeper, and why this current season feels just as rich.

This isn’t about pointing fingers — it’s about noticing. What does it really look like to follow Jesus beyond slogans and conferences? The prophets said it long ago: God wants justice, compassion, and love — not empty religion.

If you’ve ever felt disillusioned with church but still hungry for God, this one might resonate.

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On this late-night walk, I wrestle with Jesus’ challenge: “You will know them by their fruit.”

What do we actually see growing out of our churches, our politics, and even our own lives — love or fear, compassion or control?

This isn’t about guilt. It’s about noticing. Paying attention. Asking honestly: does the fruit look like Jesus, or something else entirely?

Take an evening stroll with me and let’s follow the fruit.

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Sean takes us on a journey to unexpected places, both literal and metaphorical. We start with a nostalgic trip to "Jungle Java," a beloved childhood spot turned sour by an unfortunate incident—much like some perceptions of Christians today. With candid reflections, Sean explores how people perceive Jesus followers and what might be missing in how we embody His teachings.

From there, we dive into the essence of Jesus' message: love and restoration. Reflecting on how our actions as Christians shape others' views of God, we discuss the disconnect between Jesus' message of love and the perceived anger and judgment often associated with His followers.

Through personal stories and scripture, Sean unpacks the transformative power of seeing through God's eyes, of seeking His kingdom and justice in everyday life. He challenges traditional notions of righteousness to embrace a deeper call to love and inclusion, echoing Jesus' radical command to love one another as He loved us.

The episode features poignant anecdotes, including Tony Campolo's touching tale of a 3:30 a.m. birthday party in a diner, illustrating Jesus' desire for a church that brings joy and celebration to those in need. Sean discusses how small acts of kindness and love can redefine our communities and reflect God's kingdom on earth.

Join us as Sean explores what it truly means to follow Jesus in today's world—where love, not judgment, is the cornerstone of our faith.

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This episode is all about ditching the rulebook religion and finding the real freedom Jesus offers. We'll be hanging out in Galatians chapter 5, where Paul talks to the early church about how awesome Jesus' freedom is compared to a bunch of old laws.

Buckle up, because we're gonna explore how faith and love are the keys to this freedom, not some strict to-do list. Sean shares some personal stories show you how living your faith with love is the ultimate way to break free from those religious chains!

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Finding God in Unexpected Places and the Practice of Lectio Divina

This episode explores Sean's personal journey from a legalistic approach to Bible study towards a more intimate and reflective practice called Lectio Divina.

This ancient practice, which means 'divine reading' in Latin, encourages a slow, meditative approach to scripture, focusing on listening to God on a personal level rather than seeking theological or doctrinal understanding.

Sean shares the steps of Lectio Divina, involving reading a scripture passage multiple times to listen for a specific word or phrase that stands out and pondering on what God is saying through it.

The invitation is to encourage listeners to try Lectio Divina as a way to deepen their spiritual connection and better listen to God's messages in their lives.

00:00 Discovering the Many Ways God Speaks
00:14 Finding God in Unexpected Places
00:45 The Journey from Legalistic Bible Study to Listening for God
03:28 Embracing Lectio Divina: A Personal Approach to Scripture
06:23 Guided Walkthrough of Lectio Divina
18:03 Reflections and Encouragement to Try Lectio Divina
18:36 Closing Thoughts and Invitation for Feedback

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This episode challenges traditional ideas about religion and explores the concept of radical grace. Sean dives into a scripture story about vineyard workers and explains how it contradicts our human sense of fairness.

Are you ready to ditch the guilt and embrace the good news?

This episode is perfect for:

• Anyone who grew up in church and is questioning their beliefs
• People who might like to explore good news instead of bad news
• Listeners who are curious about the concept of grace

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why traditional ideas of fairness clash with God's love
• How to move beyond religious guilt and shame
• What it means to receive God's grace

Sean also shares a powerful story about a World War II priest that will challenge your perspective on forgiveness.

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In this episode, Sean delves into personal insights and reflections on his journey of faith, specifically focusing on themes outside traditional religious frameworks. He emphasizes the idea that Jesus did not come to establish another religion but to liberate people from religious constraints.

The episode is divided into three main sections:

1. Revelation of Jesus:
   Sean explores the personality and character of Jesus, highlighting his compassion, justice, honesty, kindness, and humor as depicted in the biblical narratives. He emphasize the tangible and relatable nature of Jesus, contrasting it with the distant and intangible perception of God often portrayed in traditional religious contexts.
2. The Kingdom of God:
   Drawing from biblical references, Sean discusses the concept of the Kingdom of God as a present reality characterized by justice, grace, goodness, love, and mercy. Sean challenges the conventional understanding of the Kingdom as a distant or abstract idea, asserting its immediate relevance and significance in everyday life.
3. The Power of Love:
   Sean underscores the transformative power of love, citing examples from scripture and personal interpretation. He emphasizes the inclusive and unconditional nature of God's love, which transcends religious boundaries and extends to all humanity.

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Showing Up: The Local and Ordinary Way of Jesus

In this episode Sean dives into the rhythm of presence in following Jesus, inspired by the quote: "the way of Jesus is always local and ordinary" - Eugene Peterson.

Highlights:

• Local and ordinary: Jesus' message isn't confined to a church building; it's lived out in our daily routines and interactions.
• Showing up: We actively engage with the people and places around us, fostering genuine connections.
• The art of showing up: By showing up, we build relationships based on knowing and being known.
• The "aroma of Jesus": Our daily actions and presence can subtly reveal the character of Jesus to those around us.

Through intimate conversation and personal anecdotes, Sean reflects on the beauty of knowing and being known in our neighborhoods. It's not about grand gestures or distant ideals, but about living out the Kingdom life right under the noses of our neighbors. As we do so, we emit the unmistakable aroma of Jesus, infusing our surroundings with love, grace, and compassion.

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