BuddyWalk with Jesus

27/02/2025

Hey It's a new week which means it's time again for a new episode of the show.

This week we welcome back Jon Adams to the show to discuss his book Jesus: A Field Manual, our exploration of Christian Mysticism as well as the importance and practicality of following Jesus well in taking seriously our progressive transformation through and in Him. We discuss how following Jesus is combination of understanding and action.

Check it out!

Podcast Episode · BuddyWalk with Jesus · 02/26/2025 · 1h 24m

05/02/2025

Hey !

It's Wednesday which means it's time for another !

This week we're continuing our series exploring the truths of God and how they affect mankind.

This time we're exploring the subject of God's and displayed throughout the generations from testament to testament. We explore how God's promises display His heart for mankind and how God remains faithful to those promises

Check it out!👇

Podcast Episode · BuddyWalk with Jesus · 02/05/2025 · 45m

15/01/2025

👋It's Wednesday which means it's time for a new episode! We're continuing our journey through exploring God and Man. There are unchanging, unfailing truths of our God's character and our relationship0 with Him that we are continuing to explore.

This week we're asking the question Are we all valued by God or is it just those that choose to follow Him? Are we just evil until God chooses that we turn Him?

Like last week we're exploring the concept through the entirety of the bible to see the continuity of who God is and how He views us.

Check it out! 👇

Podcast Episode · BuddyWalk with Jesus · 01/15/2025 · 1h 1m

14/01/2025

We have a bonus episode for this week. I'm joined by Pastor, Author and Scholar Jon Adams to discuss his journey exploring the teachings of Christian Mysticism, his faith journey as well as his book Jesus: A Field Manual!

Check it out!👇

Also, check out his book and his YouTube channel!

https://www.youtube.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Field-Manual-Sermon-Mount-ebook/dp/B0CHK92CLX

Podcast Episode · BuddyWalk with Jesus · 01/13/2025 · 1h 17m

09/01/2025

Hey

You asked and I'm listening. We're starting a new series jumping back into study. This week's episode of BuddyWalk with Jesus, we dive deep into a truth that changes everything: God’s love is for EVERYONE—beyond religion, culture, or background.

From the very beginning, the Bible tells a story of universal love:

✨Creation and Imago Dei: Genesis teaches that humanity, made in God's image, reflects His nature and is deeply cherished. This establishes the universal worth of every person.

✨Historical Demonstrations of God's Love: Examples like Abraham’s covenant, Jonah’s mission, and the inclusion of non-Israelites (Rahab, Ruth) illustrate God’s desire to bless all nations.

✨Jesus as the Fulfillment of God’s Love: Through teachings like the Good Samaritan and interactions with outsiders, Jesus breaks societal and cultural barriers, emphasizing the inclusive nature of divine love.

✨The Early Church’s Inclusivity: Acts and Pauline letters affirm that God's love unites people across divisions, calling believers to embrace unity and equality.

✨Modern Application: Christians are called to embody this love through acts of compassion, breaking barriers, and recognizing all as image-bearers of God. Non-Christians are reassured of God’s unchanging love for them.

✨As believers, we’re called to live out this boundless love every day by embracing diversity, rejecting division, and showing kindness to all. And here’s the best part: whether or not you’re a Christian, the truth remains—you are loved, valued, and cherished by the Creator of the universe.

💬 Join the conversation on this week’s episode as we unpack the beauty of God’s inclusive, unchanging love and how it impacts our lives today.

🎧 Listen now and be reminded of this life-changing truth!

Send us a textThe beautiful reality is that the unchanging, unfailing character of God can be found from cover to c... | Listen & Review on Goodpods™

04/01/2025

👋Hey Good Morning !

We have another bonus episode for you all. This time I'm sitting down with Andrew Fouts for an entry into our Raw Conversations series. We're discussing Jesus vs. Religion.

For those that don't know there was a viral spoken word piece that came out about 12 years and in many ways still rings close to home for many today.

Further though many struggle with how to reconcile the words of relationship and religion and that's a big part of what we're discussing.

Check it out!👇

https://goodpods.com/podcasts/buddywalk-with-jesus-190313/jesus-vs-religion-81085639

01/01/2025

Good Morning

Welcome to 2025! As we enter into a new year, there tends to be a lot of processing around goals, aspirations, plans and desires for what we would like to see the year look like...especially if the previous year didn't go the way you thought it might.

I'd like to share some thoughts with you all that will hopefully help you process some of these questions and help you avoid some of the traps.

Avoiding the Trap of New Year’s Resolutions: Grounding Your Goals in God’s Truth
As we flip the calendar to a brand-new year, many of us feel the pull to set ambitious resolutions. Maybe it’s striving to get fit, tackling a big career goal, ditching an old habit, or picking up a new one. But let’s be honest—how often do these January promises lead to frustration or guilt by February? If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. Why does this happen so often, and how can we approach the new year differently?
The truth is, while many resolutions come from a good place—wanting to grow or make positive changes—there’s a subtle trap hidden in the “New Year, New Me” mentality. Our culture of comparison and the toxic pressures it brings can steer us away from meaningful growth and into a cycle of striving. This isn’t the life God desires for us.
The Trap of Toxic Goals
Resolutions born from comparison or self-criticism often lose their power to bring real joy. Whether it’s chasing the picture-perfect life we see on social media or trying to “fix” something about ourselves, these goals can come from a place of insecurity rather than our true identity.
But here’s the good news: God sees us differently. We’re not defined by our achievements, appearance, or social status. Scripture reminds us that we’re made in God’s image and deeply loved (Genesis 1:27). Our worth is a gift from Him—it’s not something we have to earn. When our goals reflect this truth, they become life-giving rather than draining.
Resting in God’s Reality
It’s perfectly okay to want to improve—whether it’s getting healthier, learning something new, or strengthening relationships. In fact, these desires can honor God when approached with the right heart. The Bible encourages us to grow in wisdom, care for our bodies, and steward our resources well (Proverbs 4:7; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
But instead of setting goals shaped by external pressures, what if we grounded them in the reality of our relationship with God? Ask yourself:

Are my goals inspired by God’s work in my life, or am I chasing someone else’s expectations?
Do my aspirations flow from gratitude and trust in God, or are they driven by the need to prove myself?

Goals That Reflect God’s Love
If you’re thinking about setting goals for the year, start by inviting God into the process. Pray for clarity about your motivations and ask Him to help you align your desires with His purposes. You might even find that fewer, more intentional goals lead to greater peace and joy.
Here are some examples:

Instead of striving for a “perfect” body, focus on caring for your health as a way to honor the body God gave you.
Rather than rigidly chasing success, think about how your skills and talents can bless others and glorify God. Again success is not in and of itself wrong or bad but how it's positioned matters.
When perfection feels like the goal, remind yourself that growth often comes through mistakes and grace and those are the spaces where God does His most mighty work.

By staying mindful of your motivations, you can celebrate progress along the way and adjust your goals when needed. Rooting your journey in God’s truth protects your peace and helps you sidestep the traps of comparison and self-doubt.
Living Free from Comparison
Breaking free from toxic resolutions is less about achieving and more about abiding—less striving, more surrender. Tangible changes like becoming healthier, exploring new interests, or building positive habits are wonderful, but they’re even more fulfilling when they reflect your faith and trust in God.
The danger lies in tying your worth to your success. God’s story for you isn’t one of endless comparison or self-condemnation. It’s a story of freedom, grace, and purpose—a beautiful reminder that transformation begins when we rest in His truth.
As we step into this new year, let’s focus on growth that honors the One who created us. Here are a few questions to help you start:

Have you asked God to guide you as you think about your goals?
Are you attaching your worth to what you achieve?
If you’ve already set goals, what’s driving them, and have you invited God into the process?

This year, let’s pursue growth that glorifies God and reflects His love. Together, we can step into 2025 with confidence, purpose, and peace.

23/12/2024

I will never understand why Meta took away the ability for pages to do a poll but regardless I have a question for you all. As you may know BWWJ has been around for almost 6 years and has taken many forms of the years. Over the last several months we moved away from the bible study format that we had been in for a few years to go back to where the show started, having conversations.

As we move into 2025, we sit at a crossroads and I would like to hear from you all. I'll try to make it easy for you to respond.

Where would you like to see the show go from here:

Type 1 in the comments for bible study. Either in the form of book studies like Matthew and Esther or themes/topics.

Type 2 in the comments for the conversational format that we've been in with either just myself or myself and someone else

Type 3 in the comments for themed series around a topic or concept (ie a particular author, subject, etc)

19/12/2024

Hey here's the next entry into our Advent Series! I hope you find this beneficial

Not Faking the Christmas Spirit: Living in the Present Kingdom of God
We’ve covered a lot of ground together over the last several weeks. We’ve talked about who we are to God, our identity as Christians and have even gotten honest about the tension that many of us feel during this time of year. Let’s start off this week’s talk with a bit more honesty: how often do we feel pressured to act as if the “Christmas Spirit” is alive within us simply because it’s expected? Whether it’s the sparkling lights, the endless carols, or the cultural insistence to feel merry and bright, the weight of these expectations can feel less like a joyful invitation and more like a burdensome checklist.

I’d like to clear, very quickly if I may…THIS IS NEVER THE ANSWER! Sure, we should find safe places where we can safely express our emotions. That is very different from putting on a facade in hopes of “catching the holiday spirit”.
Likewise, the urge to put on the “perfect Christmas” for friends or family is equally unhealthy. There is a line between wanting to host for the people you care about and holding yourself to expectations of a scene out of a Hallmark Christmas movie.

Unfortunately the noise that these feelings generate oftentimes overshadows anything that reflects the true significance of this season in the first place. All too often the essence of this season becomes more about faking it for appearances or conforming to a socially Christian narrative. What if the heart of Advent—the reason for this season—isn’t found in mustering up a festive front but in embracing the very real, present Kingdom of God?
Advent reminds us that Jesus came into this world not to inspire temporary cheer but to call us into the enduring reality of God’s Kingdom. This reality doesn’t demand that we perform or pretend; it invites us to live authentically in the Spirit of God’s love, peace, and presence.

The Pressure to Perform the "Christmas Spirit"
It’s no secret that the holidays come with high expectations. Family gatherings, perfectly decorated homes, and cheerful appearances are often seen as non-negotiables. Even in Christian communities, we can feel an unspoken pressure to display a constant sense of joy lest those around us think we are “out of step with God”, all the while hiding true spiritual, mental, emotional and physical fatigue as though we dare not show God or others that raw reality.

Now if what I just said strikes a chord of cynicism then I want to say that I am honestly happy that you don’t know this reality and might I encourage you to take some time this season to pray for the folks that read a partial retelling of their life experience in the last paragraph.
Yet this pressure to “perform” the Christmas Spirit misses the point. When the focus shifts to outward appearances rather than inward transformation, the season becomes exhausting. It feels hollow. The message of Advent, however, offers us a different perspective. It tells us that the significance of this season isn’t found in how we appear to others but in how we connect to God’s ongoing presence in our lives.
Christmas is not about our performance; it’s about God’s presence.

Advent as a Reminder of God’s Present Kingdom
This is a season that calls us to remember both the first arrival of Jesus as a child in Bethlehem and the promise of His return. But Advent also calls us to live in the reality of Emmanuel—God with us—right now.
Jesus Himself reminds us of this truth in Luke 17:20-21:
“The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed... For behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
This declaration reframes how we view Advent and Christmas. It’s not about waiting for something distant or hypothetical; it’s about recognizing the active, living presence of God in our lives today.
Advent is a call to live in the here and now, grounded in the truth that God’s Kingdom is present among us. This perspective frees us from striving to create a superficial holiday experience and invites us to rest in the reality of God’s Spirit, which transcends cultural expectations of the season.

Abiding in the True Spirit of God
Jesus provides us with a beautiful metaphor to illustrate this life of resting in God’s presence:
“Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5 NASB)
This image of abiding—remaining connected to Jesus as a branch remains connected to the vine—reveals how we are meant to live. When we abide in Him, we don’t need to manufacture joy or force ourselves into a festive mood. Instead, we allow God’s Spirit to flow through us, producing authentic love, joy, and peace as fruit.
Abiding in Christ also provides clarity. It helps us distinguish between the cultural demands of the holiday season and the spiritual reality of Advent. It calls us back to the basics of prayer, Scripture, and loving others with simplicity and sincerity. This is the true “Christmas Spirit”—not a show of cheerfulness, but a deep connection to the One who entered our world to redeem it.

Resisting the Temptation to Fake It
In a world that often prioritizes appearances, it’s tempting to fake our way through Christmas. We tell ourselves that if we can just get through the season—smiling at the right times, attending the right events, and checking off the right traditions—we’ll have done our part.
But this kind of seasonal pretending leads only to exhaustion. It misses the invitation of Advent entirely.
Advent doesn’t ask us to pretend; it invites us to be real. It invites us to bring our full selves—joys, struggles, and everything in between—into God’s presence. Instead of hiding behind a facade of festive cheer, we’re called to embrace the authenticity of living as citizens of God’s Kingdom. This authenticity allows us to release the need for perfection and instead rest in the peace of Christ.
Real Christmas joy isn’t found in pretending everything is perfect. It’s found in acknowledging that even in our imperfection, God is with us.

Living Out the Spirit of Advent
As we abide in Christ, the love we receive from Him naturally extends to others. This is the heart of living in the Spirit of Advent—reflecting God’s Kingdom in the way we love and serve those around us.
Jesus makes this clear in John 13:34-35:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”
Loving others isn’t an obligation; it’s the fruit of abiding in Christ. It’s how we embody the reality of God’s Kingdom in our everyday lives. Whether it’s sharing a meal with someone in need, offering a word of encouragement, or simply being present with loved ones, these acts of love make the Kingdom tangible.
Advent reminds us that we don’t need to wait for some distant moment to experience God’s presence. The Kingdom is here. The Spirit is with us. And we are invited to live out this truth in simple, meaningful ways. The best part? God FULLY understands our limitations. He has from the start! So He does not hold an expectation that we try to live out of this place by our own strength and grit. That’s why we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide, empower, mentor and heal us. The Holy Spirit helps us to live presently in God’s Kingdom in ways we could never do on our own.

Conclusion: Resting in the Present Spirit of God
Advent isn’t about checking boxes or donning a facade of festive cheer. It’s about the profound reality that God’s Kingdom is here and now. It’s about living as citizens of this Kingdom, not by pretending to have it all together, but by abiding in the One who holds all things together.
This season, let’s lay aside the pressure to fake the Christmas Spirit and instead rest in the true Spirit of God’s love. Let Advent remind us of the life we’ve been called to live—one marked by His presence, shaped by His love, and poured out in the everyday moments of our lives.
May this Advent season draw you deeper into the present reality of God’s Kingdom, freeing you to live authentically in His love and peace.

14/12/2024

ICYMI This week ask has been another busy one with plenty of great content to dig into.

First is the next raw conversation in the Let's Talk series where I sit down with Pastors Scott and Mike to talk about cultivating community first while planting a church coming out of a complicated church experience.

https://go.goodpods.com/WVAU47

We also released the next bonus episode in our ongoing Advent series discuss Our Present Reality as believers.

https://go.goodpods.com/8po4fe

Reach Out to Us Today!This week we have our next episode of our Advent series. This time we are talking about the present reality of our life of f...

12/12/2024

Hey as promised here's the next entry into our advent series!

Advent and Our Identity in God: Living the Present Reality of His Kingdom
I would like to start off by presenting a verse set that may seem a little unusual for a conversation during this time of year, but track with me because it provides the framework for a very significant truth of this season:
“Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5 NASB)
These words remind us of a central truth of Advent: Jesus entered our world so that we may enter His. This truth anchors our understanding of who we are and how we live in the present reality of God’s Kingdom.

Who Are We to God?
The point and purpose of this series has been to display the present nature of our relationship with God and to highlight that the significance of this season exists alongside our struggles in a bigger picture that extends beyond December 25th. Acknowledging the significance of Advent in no way undermines our very real struggles. However, when the sum total of the significance of the season rests on a single day… that can.
A lot of the struggle around this season stems from the fact that when the emphasis of the holiday is on celebrating one specific day without context for our current lives, we are left to focus on all of the cultural elements of the holiday that only drain us.
So our goal here is to reframe the focus of the holiday season. This season offers us an invitation to a journey.

Let’s do a quick recap!

Advent’s Invitation: Rediscovering Identity
Our journey begins with identity. As image bearers of God, we have inherent value—marked by the divine imprint of the Imago Dei. Beyond that, as Christians we are citizens of God’s Kingdom, adopted as sons and daughters of the King. Advent stands as a reminder of the invitation for us into a deeply personal relationship with God, one that transforms our understanding of ourselves and our place in His story.
This relationship is not static or distant. It’s an intimate, dynamic connection that Jesus describes as abiding. To abide in Him means to listen to His voice, to be known by Him, and to live in joyful obedience to His commands. This isn’t about cold rules but about a transformative love that shapes who we are and how we live.
This Advent season calls us to pause and remember: our identity is secure in Christ. No matter the chaos of life we can remain faithful to God because He remains faithful to us. Our worth is not measured by how perfectly we fulfill cultural expectations but by the unchanging truth of God’s love for us.

Living Empowered by the Spirit
Now here is where we shift gears to the Spirit. Advent also reminds us of the Holy Spirit’s active presence. As sons and daughters of the King, we live in the profound reality of being indwelt with the Spirit of God!
This indwelling is more than a theological concept; it is the source of our power and purpose. The Spirit acts as a guide, advocate, and comforter, molding us into the image of Christ. Through the Spirit, we are empowered to live out the love of God in ways we could never accomplish on our own.
Jesus Himself emphasized this relationship in John 14:16-17, where He promised the Spirit would dwell within us:
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.”
This Spirit-filled life enables us to walk in the reality of God’s Kingdom here and now. We are not left to navigate the complexities of life alone; we have a divine Helper who equips us to bear fruit, even amidst challenges.
Advent’s Purpose: A Present Reality

When there’s nothing to ground yourself in during the holiday season, it’s very easy to get lost in the noise. Let me be clear, this season is about more than just a single day. This season is about much more than looking back to Christ’s birth or even forward to His return. It is about embracing the present reality of His Kingdom and living empowered by His Spirit and understanding that because of Jesus we have the means to abide with God. To remain with Him, to dwell and persevere in Him.

When we abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit, we are able to experience the fullness of God’s love and share it with others. This transformative journey shapes our identity, refocuses our purpose, and allows us to rest in the joy and peace that Christ came to bring.
So, this Advent season, let us shift our focus away from cultural demands and back to the heart of the Gospel. Let us rediscover the beauty of abiding in Christ and living by His Spirit, and let this truth transform not only our celebrations but our entire lives.
The present reality of God’s Kingdom means that we are not just waiting for eternal life; we are living it now. When Jesus declared, “The Kingdom of God has come near” (Mark 1:15), He announced a new era—one where God’s reign breaks into our everyday existence. This reality is not always visible in dramatic ways but is experienced in the quiet transformation of our hearts, our relationships, and the world around us as we partner with Him.
To live in this present reality is to walk in the tension of the "already but not yet." The Kingdom is already here because Jesus inaugurated it through His life, death, and resurrection. Yet, it is not fully realized until He comes again. During Advent, we are reminded that we live as citizens of this Kingdom—called to bring its pillars of love, justice, peace, and mercy into every corner of our lives and thus into the world
The Holy Spirit enables us to live out this reality. The same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us (Romans 8:11), equipping us to face challenges, resist sin, and reflect Christ’s love. When we embrace the Spirit’s work, we begin to see life through Kingdom lenses, where ordinary moments become sacred opportunities to live out our faith.
This present reality calls us to a life of abiding—a life deeply connected to the vine, as Jesus describes in John 15. To abide in Him means to remain rooted in His Word, to be attuned to His voice, and to draw strength from His Spirit. It is through this abiding that we bear fruit, bringing hope, healing, and restoration to a world longing for the Kingdom’s fullness.
Advent is also a reminder that this reality is deeply personal. God is not distant or detached. He entered into human history, not just to redeem us but to dwell with us. The name Emmanuel—God with us—reminds us that His presence is a promise for today. In the busyness of the season, when the weight of life feels overwhelming, we can take solace in knowing that we are never alone.
As we reflect on Advent, let us remember that this season is about much more than preparing for Christmas Day. It’s a reminder of the present reality that we live in. It’s an invitation to live fully in the reality of God’s Kingdom, here and now. This truth frees us from the pressures of cultural expectations and redirects our focus to the eternal significance of our identity and purpose in Christ.
The heartbeat at the core of the story is a single truth.
Jesus entered our world so that we might enter His.