Toward Relational Wholeness (#1019)
How do you view friendships around you, especially those that may be short-lived? Do you shy away, not wanting to get hurt, exploit them for what you can get, or engage them as an opportunity to share life, even if it won't last long? Wayne and Kyle discuss what a healthy mindset looks like as we engage others, whether it be short-term or long-term. Be true to your "yuck meter" so you won't be manipulated. Learn the power of active listening as a gift to give others by giving them your full attention, a curious mind, and a calm presence, while resisting the desire to make judgments or give advice. Of course, all of that begins in our growing trust in Father's love and realizing that anything that argues against our belovedness to him is a lie we need to walk away from.
Podcast Notes:
- The video version of this podcast
- My Friend Luis podcast
- My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem. Quote Wayne read on the podcast: “Talking with another person to process what you learned or experienced doesn't mean having a friendly chat with them. It means describing an event that had meaning for you, while the other person listens with caring, full attention, a calm presence, and a settled body. This might involve both of you letting you tremble, cry, sway, shake your head, or move your body in some other way as it metabolizes the experience. Therapists call this active listening. Being an active listener involves not interrupting; not making judgments; not asking questions other than to make sure you understand; not giving advice or offering explanations; and not jumping in with a story of your own. It's important to reach out to others for this type of support. It's just as important to allow others to reach out to you for it.”
- Just Love, referred to in this podcast, is a book Wayne is writing with Tobie van der Westhuizen from South Africa. We hope to have it available in February 2026.
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I’m sorry I love you guys but you have to get off cnn buddy Trump is the 5th president since the beginning of Presidents of your country to try to purchase Greenland. He will not invade it. He’s not going to make Canada the 51st state. He’s deported far less than Obama. Ice did not deport a 5 year old. You president is not the best person in the world and don’t believe he was picked by God. But the TDS in the world is insane. He done nothing worse the other presidents. Try having my prime minister or England’s
Just because someone disagrees with Trumps bombastic attempts to bully the world into someone doesn’t mean they have TDS or watch CNN. There is so much to be concerned about here, and all the more so because the “Christians” who support him, don’t call him to account when he oversteps his bounds as a world leader.
I’m learning so much about love from listening to the God journey as I am listening to and catching up on the earlier years of the podcast to listening to the current conversations between Wayne and Kyle. I’m always a bit confused when politics comes up because the time frame changes — again from convos between Wayne and Brad or another guest and then to Wayne and Kyle. I then have to recall which time frame I’m currently listening to. The political realm at present is particularly volatile and getting one’s information from main stream media is never a good source; We’ve been lied to for years and it’s not to say the current administration is any better. When politics comes up on here, it gets my dander up; It’s one place I usually don’t have to hear about it and I can take a breather.
I scrolled down to the comment section as I want to let Kyle know what a gift he’s been to “The God Journey. Kyle, I just want to say thank you for being a part of this journey and sharing yours with us. Thank you for your insightful input.
Wayne, thank you for making this resource available to us and continuing it throughout the decades. It really blesses me.
Thanks, Elaine, for your comments. We do very little politics, but once in a while, the pot just boils over. 😉 Thanks for your comments about Kyle, too. I’m glad he’s there also. –Wayne
Is it possible to reopen the comment section on the older posts and to leave the later ones open? I am on the podcast re: legalism and bible-reading, and I have to say that the Baptist church has really done a number on me. Having OCD (yes, literally and not just “Oh I think I might have left the light on or the door unlocked”) characteristics, I was petrified of making a mistake. There is SO much to say about legalism along with the “Come as you are but then don’t mess up” message, that is so devastating to more than just me, I’m sure. Also their tracts to get people to turn or burn. I was afraid later on that I might not have said the words just right. Then there’s the charismatic institutional church’s “mood music” to get you in the mood to give or whatever. What really helped set me free was Bob George’s book “Classic Christianity.” As I was reading it, I was waiting for the “but” but it didn’t come and it was so freeing.
I too find the bible condemning and confusing, and seemingly contradicting. I am also (hopefully) moving away from a judgmental attitude more and more as I listen to this podcast.
I had started to listen to the God Journey and Darin Hufford many years ago but then life moved me in other directions. I haven’t been part of the institution for years. God has such a work to do in me! Thank you for all you do.
Hi Elaine, thank you for your comment and for sharing a bit of your story. I’m glad Father drew a pathway for you into greater freedom and joy. As to your question, the reason we turn off comments on some posts is that few people go back and read them when they get old. Additionally, they get spammed a lot. That does help keep the conversation more current.