The Sacred Sofa

Coming Up on The Sacred Sofa

The Sacred Sofa is taking a short break over the Easter season, but don’t worry—we’ll be back with a new episode on Thursday, May 1! 🐣🌿

Brad & Grace will continue exploring The Flourishing Life by diving into the narratives that define us—the stories we live by, and the ones we could choose instead. 📖✨

What stories have shaped your identity, relationships, and choices? And are there healthier, more life-giving narratives waiting to be embraced? Join us in May as we unpack how reframing our stories can lead to greater freedom, meaning, and connection. 💛

🎧 Mark your calendars—see you May 1!

The Heart of Hospitality

In this episode of The Sacred Sofa, Brad & Grace welcome back Karla Drader to explore the transformative power of hospitality. 🌿💛

Building on our previous conversation about recognizing and managing hostility, Karla introduces the idea of inner hospitality—a heart-centered openness that goes beyond simply welcoming guests. 🏡✨

Drawing from Henri Nouwen’s Reaching Out, they discuss:

🤲 Cultivating compassion in a divided world
⚖️ Setting healthy boundaries without closing off
💛 Creating space for others to foster deep relationships

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on how true hospitality shapes our homes, communities, and personal growth—and what it really means to walk the Jesus Path. 🛤️

🎧 Listen now & open your heart to the deeper call of hospitality!

Hostility

In this episode of The Sacred Sofa, Grace & Brad welcome Karla Drader for a deep dive into hostility—how it shows up in our lives, its roots in fear & insecurity, and how we can transform it into something healthier. 💭🔥

Drawing from Henri Nouwen’s framework and biblical insights, they explore the fine line between hostility & assertiveness, the importance of self-awareness, and the role of boundaries on the Jesus Path. 🛤️✨

Through personal stories, thought-provoking questions, and honest reflections, they unpack how we can move from "otherness" to "oneness", creating spaces of true belonging and reconciliation. 💛🤝

🎧 Tune in for a powerful conversation on healing, connection, and the courage to transform hostility into hospitality.

Building a House

In this episode of The Sacred Sofa, Brad & Grace conclude their exploration of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount by unpacking the powerful metaphor of building a house on a strong foundation. 🏠🌿

Hardships come to everyone, but those with a solid foundation—rooted in wisdom, integrity, and community—can withstand life’s storms. ⛈️💪 Grace shares insights from her work as a therapist, highlighting the importance of safe relationships, alignment between beliefs & actions, and holistic self-care.

They also explore how weak foundations can lead to personal and societal collapse, discussing early warning signs of emotional distress and practical strategies for resilience. 🌱✨

The episode ends with a challenge for listeners: What are you building your life upon? Plus, a sneak peek into upcoming discussions on hostility & hospitality with guest Karla Drader. 🎙️

🎧 Tune in and strengthen your foundation!

The Narrow Path

In this episode of The Sacred Sofa, Brad & Grace dive into one of the most powerful images from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: the wide and narrow paths. 🚶‍♂️🛤️

Is this passage really about heaven and hell, or is Jesus offering us a roadmap for a flourishing life? 🤔✨ Brad & Grace explore the connection between the Golden Rule and the narrow path, unpacking how self-centeredness leads to isolation, while choosing selflessness requires intentionality and effort.

As we approach the conclusion of our Sermon on the Mount series, this episode invites you to reflect: Are you choosing the path that leads to life? 🌿💛

🎧 Tune in, reflect, and take a step toward the better road.

The Wrong Tree

Judgment—it’s something we all experience and participate in, often without even realizing it. But what did Jesus really mean when he said, “Do not judge”? 🤔⚖️

In this episode of The Sacred Sofa, Brad & Grace explore the difference between judgment and being judgmental, how feeling judged impacts mental health, and what it means to approach others with curiosity and compassion rather than condemnation. 💛✨

With insights from theology and therapy—plus a heated debate about 🍍 pineapple on pizza 🍕—this conversation challenges us to rethink our role in discernment and invites us to move toward the Tree of Life. 🌳🌿

🎧 Tune in for a thought-provoking episode!

When Worry Takes Over

Worry—it’s that constant background noise in our minds, playing through worst-case scenarios and endless “what-ifs” like a never-ending playlist. 🎶💭

But is all worry bad? And what can we do when it starts to take over?

In this episode of The Sacred Sofa, Brad & Grace dive into the psychology of worry, Jesus' strategy for dealing with it, and why our brains are wired for anxious thoughts. 🧠✨ They also share practical strategies to break free from overthinking and regain peace of mind. 🌿☁️

If worry has been running the show in your life, this episode is for you.

Tune in and take a deep breath! 🎧💛

Ask, Seek, Knock

We are back!

In this episode of The Sacred Sofa, Brad and Grace dive into the profound wisdom of Matthew 7:7-11—"Ask, Seek, Knock"—and explore how curiosity and questioning are essential to faith, growth, and transformation. 🤔🔍🚪

They discuss the tension between seeking answers and holding beliefs with humility, touching on personal stories, neuroscience, and the teachings of Jesus. Through deep reflection, they consider how curiosity can shape not only our faith but also our mental and emotional well-being, ultimately leading to a more flourishing life.

Tune in for an insightful conversation on the power of asking good questions and embracing the unknown.

✨🎙️ Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!