#6: Why Christianity Is Still Relevant with Dr. Alister E. McGrath

The Trinity may seem like a complicated doctrine about who God is, but what if it actually has something important to say about how we can relate to others? In this conversation, chaplain and theologian Liz Daye shares what the Trinity can teach you about your everyday relationships. Because when you understand the relational nature of God, you get a clearer picture of what a healthy, flourishing community can look like. Liz unpacks the mystery of the Trinity to show you the beauty of belonging to God's family. She explains how the Trinity is a template for relating to one another and how it can move us from an isolated, individualistic faith toward a faith that is deeply connected to the people God has placed around us. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Get Liz's book, Interwoven Discipleship: How the Trinity Redefines Power, Belonging, and Christian Community Visit Liz's Website   RELATED EPISODES Can I Practice the Presence of Jesus? With Joni Eareckson Tada Can I Take Care of Myself Without Being Selfish? With Janice McWilliams Can I Steward Biblical Self-Care? With Dr. Benjamin Espinoza Can I Have a Real Relationship With the Holy Spirit? With Costi Hinn Can I Really Know the Holy Spirit? With Margaret Feinberg Can I Love My Neighbor As Myself? With Jada Edwards   SUBSCRIBE Get my weekly email Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new episode releases. LET'S CONNECT Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) VISIT THE SHOW NOTES ON MY WEBSITE LEARN MORE

Did you know friendship isn't just a social add-on or an emotional luxury? It's part of God's blueprint for life. So how do you build meaningful relationships in a world where we're more relationally disconnected than ever? Pastor and speaker Wayne Francis joins me to explore how Jesus modeled friendship—and what His example can teach us about doing relationships well. Drawing from Scripture, lived experience, and years of ministry in New York City, Pastor Wayne explains why meaningful friendship requires vulnerability—which can sound very scary, especially if you fear rejection, struggle to trust, or want to stay in control. But when your security and identity are rooted in Christ, it's not as risky as you may think. We talk about what it takes to move beyond surface-level connections, how to take the first step toward deeper friendship, and why vulnerability is worth the risk—even when it feels uncomfortable. So settle in, and let's learn how to do relationships like Jesus. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Get Wayne's book, Make Friends with Anyone: Practicing God's Design for Real Friendship in a Lonely World Visit Wayne's Website   RELATED EPISODES Can I Stop Feeling Lonely? With Alli Patterson Can I Build Meaningful Friendships in My Busy Life? With Bailey T. Hurley Can I Figure Out Friendship as a Grown-Up? With Lisa Whelchel Can I Choose Community Over Self Reliance? With Heather MacFadyen Jennifer Spills the Beans With Her BFFs On How To Do Friendship Can I Love My Neighbor As Myself? With Jada Edwards   SUBSCRIBE Get my weekly email Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new episode releases. LET'S CONNECT Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) VISIT THE SHOW NOTES ON MY WEBSITE LEARN MORE

Have you ever thought, "This is what I prayed for—so why am I struggling with it?" Maybe your prayer was answered, but now you're feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or even sad. It can be confusing, right? Well, be encouraged, my friend, because today, author Melissa Miller helps us understand why living in God's "yes" can sometimes be harder than we expected. Drawing from Scripture, neuroscience, and her own experience, Melissa explains why blessings can be both beautiful and difficult at the same time. She'll help you put words to what you're experiencing and see that just because you're struggling doesn't mean you're ungrateful or shouldn't feel the way you do. So, if you're living in a season you once prayed for but wondering why it feels so hard, listen in. You may discover that the mess doesn't mean something has gone wrong—it may simply mean you're still learning how to live in the blessing. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Hope of Heaven Tour Get Melissa's book, But I Prayed for This: What to Do When Living in God's Yes Is Harder Than You Expected Visit Melissa's Website   RELATED EPISODES Can I Feel Grief and Gratefulness at the Same Time Can I Trash Expectations and Still Be Happy? With Amanda Held Opelt Can I Get Rid of Unrealistic Expectations? Can I Build a Life I Love Without Having Everything I Want? With Meghan Ryan Asbury Can I Still Trust God When Everything Seems To Go Wrong? With Anne Graham Lotz & Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright Can I Uncover the Purpose of an Unexpected Season? With Nicole Unice   SUBSCRIBE Get my weekly email Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new episode releases. LET'S CONNECT Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) VISIT THE SHOW NOTES ON MY WEBSITE LEARN MORE

What if we haven't gotten Christianity wrong—but haven't fully appreciated it for all it's worth? That's what we're exploring today with Dr. Alister E. McGrath, a renowned Christian scholar, Oxford professor, author, and former atheist. After sharing his journey from atheism to faith, Dr. McGrath explains how Christianity isn't just true; it can profoundly transform our lives. Because it isn't just an idea to believe; it's a reality to experience. And even though it's more than 2,000 years old, Christianity can still speak powerfully to the human heart, addressing many of life's biggest questions, such as "Who am I? What am I worth? What's my purpose? And what can I do?"  So, if your faith has become all too familiar—or if you're wondering if what you believe is even relevant—listen in! This conversation will give you a fresh perspective and help you see what a difference Christianity can make. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Get Alister's book, Rethinking Christianity: A Thoughtful Guide to a Life-Changing Faith I also recommend Alister's books, C. S. Lewis -- A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet and Science & Religion: A New Introduction Visit Alister's Website   RELATED EPISODES Can I Learn From C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien's Friendship? With Joseph Loconte Actor Max McLean on C.S. Lewis and the Most Reluctant Convert Can I Rekindle My Faith? With Dr. Mark Yarbrough Can I Let Go of What's Keeping Me From Soul Revival? With Lisa Whittle Can I Have Doubt and Faith at the Same Time? With Mary Jo Sharp Can I Pray Through My Doubt? With Niki Hardy   SUBSCRIBE Get my weekly email Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new episode releases. LET'S CONNECT Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) VISIT THE SHOW NOTES ON MY WEBSITE LEARN MORE

What do you do when life doesn't turn out the way you hoped—and you're left wondering, "Where are You, God?" Singer-songwriter, author, and my friend, Tammy Trent, knows that question personally. When a devastating tragedy struck, Tammy had to grieve not only what she had lost, but also release the life she thought she would have. It wasn't easy, but as she walked through her deep pain and loss, she learned to trust God's presence and character. So today, Tammy gives us biblical insight and practical tools for facing the hard questions we all ask in seasons of pain and disappointment. We talk about navigating unmet expectations and unanswered prayers, grieving without losing hope, and finding the strength to endure when life feels impossible. If you've ever felt like God is silent, distant, or nowhere to be found in the middle of your pain, Tammy will remind you that your questions don't disqualify your faith—and that you are never alone. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Listen to Tammy "spill the beans" with Ann Voskamp, Annie F. Downs, Liz Curtis Higgs, and Shaun Groves Get Tammy's book, Where Are You Now, God? Discovering the Unshakable Truth that You're Never Alone Visit Tammy's Website God is Just Not Fair: Finding Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense - book by Jennifer Rothschild Missing Pieces: Real Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense - Bible study by Jennifer Rothschild   RELATED EPISODES Can I Survive a Lifequake and Trust That God's Got Me? With Tracie Miles Can I Survive the End of the World As I Know It? With Amy Lively Can I Make It Through the Hard Days? With Ann Voskamp Can I Still Thrive When My Life Falls Apart? With Niki Hardy Can I Find Grit to Show Up When I Want to Shut Down? With Lisa Whittle Can I Hold On When I Want to Let Go? With Sheila Walsh Can I Get Through Spiritual Disappointment? With Dr. Alicia Britt Chole   SUBSCRIBE Get my weekly email Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new episode releases. LET'S CONNECT Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) VISIT THE SHOW NOTES ON MY WEBSITE LEARN MORE

What if the hard things in your life aren't just something to get through—but opportunities to grow stronger on the other side? In this episode, Leslie Bosserman and I talk about emotional endurance: what it is, why it matters to your faith, and how you can develop it even when you're not fully aware of your emotions. Leslie teaches you how to build your emotional muscles so you can face challenges and persevere through setbacks and disappointment. Plus, Leslie will teach you to "Say Goodbye to Someday," a skill that will help you stop living in the shoulds, coulds, and somedays and start asking what God might be doing in you right now. So, if you're facing a difficult season, feeling stretched too thin, or simply want to be prepared for whatever comes next, this conversation will give you practical tools to keep going, keep growing, and trust God with the process. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Get Leslie's book, Emotional Endurance: Faith-Fueled Skills for Bouncing Back Get your FREE GIFTS from Leslie Watch Leslie's TEDX talk Visit Leslie's Website Me, Myself, & Lies: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself - book by Jennifer Rotschild   RELATED EPISODES Can I Be Resilient When Life Is a Mess? With Daniel Fusco Can I Build a Resilient Faith for a Resilient Life? With Jay Hewitt Can I Persevere When I Want to Quit? With Nick Connolly Can I Manage My Emotions and Find Healing? With Dr. Mark Mayfield Can I Prevent Mental and Emotional Meltdowns? With Jeff Peabody Can I Choose Sabbath? With Travis West   SUBSCRIBE Get my weekly email Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new episode releases. LET'S CONNECT Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) VISIT THE SHOW NOTES ON MY WEBSITE LEARN MORE

Praying the same prayer every day might sound repetitive or rigid, but when Pastor Matt Smallbone made the radical decision to pray the Lord's Prayer every day for a year, it changed much more than his prayer routine. It changed his daily walk with God. In this episode, Matt talks about his "prayer experiment," sharing what he discovered about the barriers that keep us from prayer, how the Lord's Prayer gives us a framework without becoming a formula, and what he would say to those who feel reluctant or discouraged about prayer. And then… we're not just going to talk about prayer; we're going to pray together as worship leader and songwriter Michael O'Brien sings over us the Lord's Prayer. So, if you're wondering whether you're praying the "right" way, struggling to pray consistently, or questioning whether your prayers really make a difference, this conversation will meet you right where you are. *** THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13) LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Prayer Experiment: How Praying Like Jesus Realigns Everything - Our Thoughts, Our Hearts, and Our Posture Toward God and the World by Matt Smallbone When You Pray: A Study of Six Prayers in the Bible The Lord's Prayer - song by Michael O'Brien   RELATED EPISODES Can I Develop a Prayer Habit? With Jennifer Tucker Can I Get Unstuck in My Prayer Life? With Kyle DiRoberts Can I Start a Morning Prayer Routine? With Tara Beth Leach Can I Pray Scripture Over My Life? With Jodie Berndt Can I Start Small Habits To Grow Big Faith? With Hanna Seymour Can I Overcome My Struggle With Prayer? With Anne Graham Lotz   SUBSCRIBE Get my weekly email Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new episode releases. LET'S CONNECT Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) VISIT THE SHOW NOTES ON MY WEBSITE LEARN MORE

Welcome to the Jennifer Rothschild Show! I'm so glad you're here. In this trailer, I'll tell you what the show is all about, what you can expect, and why you'll want to pull up a chair and listen in each week. It's where thoughtful people come to grow, so get ready—let's grow together! "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." (2 Peter 3:18) SUBSCRIBE Get my weekly email Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new episode releases. LET'S CONNECT Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) READ MY BIO VISIT MY WEBSITE

What do you do when your relationship with your adult child isn't what you hoped it would be? Maybe your child is struggling and you want to help, but your advice comes across as criticism. Maybe you disagree with their parenting choices, worry because they've walked away from the faith, or feel heartbroken because they've cut off contact altogether. In this conversation, Dr. Kathy Koch offers biblical wisdom and practical help for navigating these complicated relationships. You'll discover how your relationship with your children needs to change as they become adults, what heart posture to have toward them, and how to communicate in ways that build connection instead of conflict. Dr. Kathy also shares specific things to avoid saying when you're trying to coach an adult child, along with a few communication hacks to help you relate to them more effectively. Whether you're frustrated, discouraged, or grieving a relationship that isn't what you thought it would be, this conversation will remind you that there is still hope—and that you can love your adult children well, even when the relationship is hard. *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Heaven for Today: 60 Devotions on How the Life to Come Changes Your Life Right Now - book by Jennifer Rothschild Resolve Conflict and Find Peace and Hope with Adult Children: Strategies and Conversations that Work - book by Dr. Kathy Koch   RELATED EPISODES Can I Navigate the Path of Parenting Adult Kids? with Mary DeMuth Can I Live a Full Life With an Empty Nest? With Jill Savage Can I Redefine the Second Half of My Life? With Dawn Barton Can I Find Purpose in My Next Season of Life? With Shayne Moore and Carolyn Castleberry Hux Can I Stop Being a Control Freak Mom? With Crystal Paine Can I Drop the Good Mom Myth? With Alli Worthington   SUBSCRIBE Get my weekly email Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new episode releases. LET'S CONNECT Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) VISIT THE SHOW NOTES ON MY WEBSITE LEARN MORE

Elijah's story is filled with dramatic miracles, courageous faith, and unforgettable moments. But if you look a little closer, you'll find someone who isn't all that different from you! He knew fear. He experienced exhaustion. He wrestled with discouragement. And in between the extraordinary moments, there were long seasons of ordinary, faithful obedience. So in this first episode of the Jennifer Rothschild Show, best-selling author Max Lucado joins me to explore what Elijah's life can teach us about facing fear with faith, praying boldly, and trusting God through both the extraordinary and the ordinary. You'll discover what courage really is (and what it isn't), why the power of prayer has always been in the God who hears us—not the one who prays—and how to live with an expectation of divine disruption while faithfully serving God in the everyday. Because the same God who strengthened Elijah is faithful to strengthen you too… no matter what season you're in! *** LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Unbreakable Courage: Strong Faith in an Age of Anxiety, Chaos, and Exhaustion by Max Lucado Listen to other podcast episodes with Max Lucado on taming your thoughts or finding happiness RELATED EPISODES Can I Overcome Fear With Faith? Can I Take Courage When I Can't Take One More Thing? Can I Become More Courageous? Can I Choose Courage When I Don't Feel Confident? Can I Be Brave When Deep Down I'm Afraid? With Annie F. Downs Can I Choose Faith Over Fear? With Dr. Debbye Turner Bell SUBSCRIBE  Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new episode releases. LET'S CONNECT Facebook | Instagram | X (Twitter) VISIT THE SHOW NOTES ON MY WEBSITE LEARN MORE