"God meets us in our vulnerability, and the Holy Spirit isn’t just a concept—He’s a person who wants to walk with us."

In this episode of MercyCast, I had the privilege of sitting down with my friend Jenny Randle, the author of the new book, The Promised Presence, to have a deeply personal conversation about something that’s been on both of our hearts: the Holy Spirit. We explored what it means to welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives, not just as a theological concept, but as an active, indwelling presence that transforms us from the inside out.

We didn’t shy away from the hard stuff—vulnerability, denominational differences, and the mystery of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Through our conversation, you’ll hear real, raw stories of divine encounters and the ways the Spirit shows up when we’re willing to be still and trust. We reflected on the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, where the Spirit moved in powerful, unexpected ways—and how that same Spirit is still moving in and through us today.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• God often meets us in our vulnerability—and that’s where transformation begins.
• The Holy Spirit is a person, not an “it.” He speaks, guides, comforts, and empowers us daily.
• The baptism of the Holy Spirit can look different across denominations, but the key is discernment and alignment with God’s character and Word.
• Scripture—especially Luke and Acts—shows the Spirit's active role in the early church and invites us into that same power.
• Personal experiences with the Holy Spirit can deepen our faith, helping us trust even in seasons of uncertainty.
• Community matters. Healing and guidance often come through God’s people when we show up and open up.
• Being still before God is not passive—it's an act of trust and surrender.
• How the Holy Spirit moves in moments of desperation
• The importance of discernment and listening for the Spirit’s “still small voice”
• Navigating denominational differences in how the Spirit is understood and experienced
• Why vulnerability is necessary in faith communities
• How the justice gospel calls us to Spirit-empowered action rooted in compassion and truth
• Our own personal encounters with the Holy Spirit—some ordinary, some surprising
• How to cultivate a deeper personal relationship with God through the Spirit’s indwelling

Whether you're wrestling with questions about the Holy Spirit, curious about the idea of spiritual baptism, or simply looking for encouragement in your walk with God, this episode is for you.

We don’t have it all figured out—but we’re showing up, and that’s part of the journey.

Subscribe to MercyCast and leave a review if this conversation spoke to you. Let’s keep walking in trust, together.

#HolySpirit #Vulnerability #JusticeGospel #ChristianFaith #SpiritualGuidance #FaithJourney #MercyCast

Read Jenny’s book, The Promised Presence. Follow Jenny on Instagram.

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You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Has God ever felt distant?

In this episode of The Mercy Cast, I sit down with my friend Jen Thompson, author of Return to Jesus, for a heartfelt conversation that cuts right to the core of what it means to feel distant from God—and how His invitation to return never goes away. We talk honestly about those times when life feels overwhelming, when prayer feels empty, and when functional saviors (things we turn to instead of God) slowly edge Him out of our hearts.

But here's the truth we kept coming back to: God's love is unconditional. Period. It's not based on what we do or how we perform. He loves us because He made us. And He invites us—again and again—to come home.

This conversation became a journey into what it means to really accept that love. Not just mentally agree with it, but live it. To let it transform how we see ourselves and others and even how we handle struggles.

We talked about:

✨ What it means to return to Jesus—over and over again

✨ Why self-acceptance is a reflection of God's love

✨ The sacred rhythm of prayer and surrender

✨ Trusting God's provision—even in uncertainty

✨ How gratitude anchors us in the present

✨ And how our relationship with God changes everything, including how we show up in community

For me, one of the most potent reminders was this: "We are made in the image of love." That's not just poetic—it's personal. And when we affirm our worth in the light of God's love, we become more equipped to love others well. Everything in life becomes part of our mission—not just what we do overseas or on Sundays, but how we care, show up, and listen.

We don't have to earn His presence. He's already here. And when we make space for Him—through prayer, gratitude, community, and trust— we can be surprised by His grace in the most ordinary moments.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• We're not alone when we feel distant—God still pursues us.
• Self-love isn't selfish; it's a response to being loved by God.
• Returning to Jesus is about trust, surrender, and presence.
• Personal rhythms of faith and prayer build intimacy with God.
• Gratitude and grace keep us grounded in our spiritual journey.
• "God stands waiting with open arms."
• "His invitation hasn't gone away."
• "Everything in life is our mission."
• "I am loved."
• "We are made in the image of love."
• "Jesus loves me as I am."
• "We can be so hard on ourselves."
• "I love myself as I am."

🙏 If this episode speaks to you, share it with someone who might need the reminder: You are loved. You are invited back. Every day is a new chance to return to Jesus.

Let's continue walking this spiritual journey together.

#God #Love #Faith #SelfAcceptance #Compassion #ReturnToJesus #SpiritualJourney #Prayer #Trust #UnconditionalLove #PersonalGrowth #Gratitude #Surrender #Community #RelationshipWithGod

Read Jen’s book, Return to Jesus. You can follow her on Instagram.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Have you ever felt disillusioned?

In this episode of MercyCast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Nick McDonald, the author of The Light in Our Eyes: Rediscovering the Love, Beauty, and Freedom of Jesus in an Age of Disillusionment. Our conversation was a raw and honest exploration of vulnerability, adversity, disillusionment, and rebuilding faith.

Nick opened up about his journey—what it looked like to question long-held beliefs, wrestle with evangelicalism, and confront the trauma that often lingers in religious spaces. I deeply resonated with Nick's reflections on what it means to rediscover the Gospel, not just as a theological concept but as a source of grace, compassion, restoration, and renewal.

This episode is a reminder that it's okay to ask questions. It's okay to lament. And it's okay to start again.

If you've ever felt disillusioned by the Church, or if you're searching for a faith that embraces both the head and the heart, the spiritual and the physical, I believe this episode will meet you where you are.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• Vulnerability is a scary but necessary part of faith.
• Many people are deconstructing their faith to find what is real.
• Deconstruction can lead to confusion, but it can also foster growth.
• The Gospel often presented is anemic and lacks depth.
• We need to address the whole person in our faith journey.
• Jesus cares about both our souls and our bodies.
• Historical context is crucial in understanding evangelicalism.
• The Social Gospel has implications for how we live out our faith.
• Restoration and renewal are central to the Christian experience.
• Disillusionment can be a part of growth in faith.

Read Nick’s book, The Light in Our Eyes.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

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Email us at info@mercycast.com.