Vox Veniae Podcast

Vanessa Maleare, a pastor and spiritual leader, shares insights on invitations to companionship with Jesus. She discusses the profound sense of loneliness many feel and the importance of authentic friendships, exemplified by her lifeline friend Crystal. Vanessa contrasts genuine spiritual invitations with transactional ones, urging listeners to reflect on their needs and connections with Jesus. She emphasizes that true transformation comes from being authentic and extending heartfelt invitations to others, fostering a community centered on divine grace.

Eric Robinson, a software engineer turned former minister, explores the powerful themes of bicultural identity and grace. He dives into the early church's scattering during persecution and how diverse believers bridged cultural divides in Antioch. Eric shares insights on living between cultures, the joys and struggles that come with it, and highlights Biblical figures like Barnabas. He emphasizes the dynamic nature of God's mercy and encourages listeners to discern their spiritual journeys, following the Spirit toward justice and collective belonging.

The discussion dives into the often-overlooked grace present in our lives, challenging listeners to see beyond their struggles. Christopher shares his initial reluctance toward John's Gospel, framing it as a lens to recognize spiritual vitality. Using a Westworld analogy, he illustrates how we can fail to see obvious grace. The conversation highlights how the Vox community embodies divine grace and invites personal stories of transformative encounters. Ultimately, it emphasizes the need for introspection and participation in the grace that surrounds us.

Whether conscious or unconscious, we often view much of our humanity in opposition to our spiritual life. We know our predilections to vices and addictions. We find ourselves making and breaking the same commitments or resolutions each year for change that remains elusive. We realize we are intensely engaged in the same argument or relational rut, as predictable as Black Friday sales. Yet Jesus’ arrival on earth speaks a different understanding of our humanness. Divinity is moving into our neighborhood, not to price us out of the block, but to show us the sacred in our skin, breath, thoughts, desires, quirks, and connections. We are invited to wait and watch for the Beloved and Beautiful in the imprint of humanness. In this final week of Advent, Christopher explores the loneliness of the human condition juxtaposed with a God who is with us in every mess and who invites us to love by leading with mercy.  Reflection Questions: How do you experience belovedness in your body?  What would it look like for you to trust your own experience of God’s Love? Where do you hope to make a place for the freshness of God’s Love in your life?

Whether conscious or unconscious, we often view much of our humanity in opposition to our spiritual life. We know our predilections to vices and addictions. We find ourselves making and breaking the same commitments or resolutions each year for change that remains elusive. We realize we are intensely engaged in the same argument or relational rut, as predictable as Black Friday sales. Yet Jesus’ arrival on earth speaks a different understanding of our humanness. Divinity is moving into our neighborhood, not to price us out of the block, but to show us the sacred in our skin, breath, thoughts, desires, quirks, and connections. We are invited to wait and watch for the Beloved and Beautiful in the imprint of humanness. In this third week of Advent, Christopher looks at the fragility of God being with us in even the most challenging and harrowing of times.  Reflection: What does your soul rejoice in? Is it harder for you to find joy in giving mercy or in receiving mercy? What is your prayer to the God of Upheaval?

Whether conscious or unconscious, we often view much of our humanity in opposition to our spiritual life. We know our predilections to vices and addictions. We find ourselves making and breaking the same commitments or resolutions each year for change that remains elusive. We realize we are intensely engaged in the same argument or relational rut, as predictable as Black Friday sales. Yet Jesus’ arrival on earth speaks a different understanding of our humanness. Divinity is moving into our neighborhood, not to price us out of the block, but to show us the sacred in our skin, breath, thoughts, desires, quirks, and connections. We are invited to wait and watch for the Beloved and Beautiful in the imprint of humanness. In this second week of Advent, Vanessa looks at the fragility of God being with us in even the most challenging and harrowing of times.  Reflection  Where do you spy God? Where do you long to see peace realized in your personal life? What can you do to bring peace to others?

Whether conscious or unconscious, we often view much of our humanity in opposition to our spiritual life. We know our predilections to vices and addictions. We find ourselves making and breaking the same commitments or resolutions each year for change that remains elusive. We realize we are intensely engaged in the same argument or relational rut, as predictable as Black Friday sales. Yet Jesus’ arrival on earth speaks a different understanding of our humanness. Divinity is moving into our neighborhood, not to price us out of the block, but to show us the sacred in our skin, breath, thoughts, desires, quirks, and connections. We are invited to wait and watch for the Beloved and Beautiful in the imprint of humanness. In this first week of Advent, Christopher looks at the genealogy of Jesus through the lens of Mary, searching for hope in a season of despair.  Reflection  How can we wear our own skin with gratitude instead of loathing? What is Divine Wisdom inviting you to trust? Who is someone in your life who illuminate hope for you? 

Homily Title: Reconstructing Sunday School: From Literal Fear to Imaginative Love While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.    Special guest, Sarah Swartzendruber, co-pastor at Cascade Church in Portland, OR continues our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, by exploring how we relate to the faith that was handed down to us and how we might reimagine more loving and holistic ways of sparking faith conversations and formation with kids in our lives. [Mark 1:10-13]   Reflection  If you were in faith spaces as a kid or student, what messages were you given about God? What “tips or solutions” would you add for moving away from “fear-based” theology? If you could teach your childhood self one message about God, what would it be? Resource PDF: Vox Childlike Faith of Curiosity

Homily Title: Reconstructing Prayer: From a Contest to a  Doorway While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.    Brandon Kinder continues our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, by offering several practices for allowing prayer to be a doorway bringing us closer to both our authentic self and the One whose Divine Image we bear. [John 21:1-14]   Reflection  How might the purpose of prayer seem different now than when we were younger? When do you feel the most connected to the divine? Try not to look at your phone right now. Resource PDF: Vox Doorways to Prayer

Reconstructing Church: From Conformity to Community While many of the ideas and practices handed down to us about God and the church may have shifted, there is something about Jesus we still find compellingly beautiful. Often, after letting go of what wasn’t working, we struggle to find a way forward that shapes our lives to mirror the Beloved Community of God.    As we continue our Fall Vision series, Reconstructing Rhythms, Lilly Ettinger honors the tender and challenging experiences many have had with church while asking us to participate in the kind of community centered on Christ that would lead to our collective flourishing. [Hebrews 10:24-25] Reflection  Where do I see the kind of community I want to be a part of? What do I wish motivated me to come to church? How might I reimagine my role in this church? Resource PDF:  Vox Growing Together 2025