Connexus Church Audio Podcast

What does it look like when ordinary people get filled with something extraordinary? In the final episode of Closer Than You Think, Jeff Brodie lands the series with the Holy Spirit's most provocative metaphor — fire. Not as spectacle, but as the thing that burns away fear and makes ordinary people bold enough to change the world around them. He tells the story of Peter and John — fishermen who, after Pentecost, stood before the most powerful religious leaders of their day and didn't ask for protection. They asked for more boldness. Then he makes it personal: most of us are settling for embers when God wants a fire. And the thing keeping us cold isn't a lack of belief — it's a love of comfort. The episode closes with a simple but genuinely confronting question: in which area do you need the Holy Spirit to fill you — life, power, satisfaction, or boldness? A strong standalone episode, and an even better series finale. Closer Than You Think — 4 weeks on the Holy Spirit. All episodes available now.

Tom Brady won three Super Bowls in four seasons. Then told a journalist: "I think there's got to be more than this." That moment opens one of the most honest and relatable messages in this series. In Week 3 of Closer Than You Think, Luke Crawford speaks from a refreshingly vulnerable place — someone who's experienced the Holy Spirit's presence and also lived through seasons of real disappointment and confusion about where God is. He explores the ancient vision of Ezekiel 47, where water flows from God's presence into the Dead Sea and brings it to life — and connects it to Jesus' invitation in John 7: "Anyone who is thirsty, come to me." The message lands on a quietly confronting question: Are you living like a reservoir — collecting everything God pours into you and keeping it for yourself — or like a river, letting it flow out into the lives of people around you? Practical, honest, and genuinely good for anyone who's ever chased satisfaction and come up empty. Closer Than You Think is a 4-week series on the Holy Spirit. New episodes weekly.

In Week 2 of Closer Than You Think, Jeff Brodie explores what "spiritual power" really is—and what it isn't. Through Acts 6–8, we see the contrast between Philip's faithful obedience and Simon's desire to control power for himself. This message helps clarify how the Holy Spirit works, why motives matter, and how God forms people in hidden places before empowering them for His purposes. If you've ever been confused by "power" language or wondered what it means to be filled with the Spirit, this conversation brings clarity and direction.

Have you ever believed in God but struggled to actually experience Him? In this message, Jeff Brodie explores the Holy Spirit as breath—invisible, essential, and life-giving. From John 3 and Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, we discover that the Holy Spirit isn't a force to find, but a relationship to foster—one that brings new life, restores hope, and makes God personal in everyday moments. This is Week 1 of the Closer Than You Think series: How to Experience God (The Holy Spirit as Breath).

Praying on your own can feel difficult. Praying with someone else can feel even more awkward. In Week 3 of The Prayer Lab, Vijay Krishnan explores how to pray with someone — not just for them — in a way that feels natural, relational, and real. If you've ever wondered what to say when praying out loud, felt uncomfortable initiating prayer, or avoided it altogether, this message is for you. You'll learn a simple, practical approach to praying with others that removes pressure and builds connection. Because prayer was never meant to be private or perfect — it was meant to be shared.

If you've ever felt distant from God or struggled to feel His presence in prayer, this message is for you. In Week 2 of The Prayer Lab, Vijay Krishnan explores how to pray when God feels far away. Looking at Psalm 139 and introducing the Prayer of Examen, this message offers a practical way to reconnect spiritually and become more aware of God's presence in everyday life. Many people ask: Why don't I feel close to God? Is God really with me? How do I reconnect through prayer? This teaching shows how reflective prayer can help you see where God has already been at work in your life — and how He may be closer than you think. Introduction and The Prayer Lab Series 00:00:02 - 00:00:16 The Prayer Lab: Week Two - Visualizing Prayer Relationships 00:00:20 - 00:04:38 Personal Reflection and the Game-Changing Practice 00:04:40 - 00:05:35 Introducing Psalm 139: A Prayer of Closeness 00:05:36 - 00:09:00 Analyzing Psalm 139: God's Presence Across Time Zones 00:09:02 - 00:13:21 The Nature of Prayer and the Prayer of Examine 00:13:23 - 00:16:48 The Daily Examen: A Pilgrimage to God 00:16:49 - 00:20:00 Guided Prayer of Examen 00:20:02 - 00:28:47 The Reimagining the Examen App and Conclusion 00:28:52 - 00:31:15 Closing and Call to Action 00:31:27 - 00:31:44

Have you ever tried to pray… and run out of words? Maybe you feel awkward, distracted, guilty for not praying more, or unsure if God is even listening. You're not alone. In this first message of The Prayer Lab, Vijay Krishnan explores why prayer feels so instinctive — and yet so difficult. If you've ever wondered: Why pray if God already knows everything? What do I say when I run out of words? Does prayer actually make a difference? This message reframes prayer as relationship, not performance — and shows how Jesus' words in the Lord's Prayer can help us pray in everyday language. Prayer isn't about getting it right. It's about starting.

We've never been more connected — and yet many of us feel deeply lonely. Likes, comments, group chats, and constant online interaction promise connection, but often leave us unseen and unknown. The algorithm keeps us engaged, but it can quietly pull us away from the kind of relationships our souls actually need. In this message from the Starve the Algorithm, Feed the Soul series, Jeff Brodie explores why being connected isn't the same as being known — and how real, meaningful relationships are formed. Because the answer to loneliness isn't more connections. It's being deeply known by a few. 👉 Connection doesn't heal loneliness. Being known does.

Comparison is exhausting — and it's quietly killing your calling. In a world shaped by algorithms and highlight reels, it's easy to measure your life against someone else's success and feel like you're falling behind. But comparison doesn't motivate us to live better — it distracts us from the life God uniquely created us to live. In this message from the Starve the Algorithm, Feed Your Soul series, Luke Crawford how comparison distorts our desires, fuels dissatisfaction, and pulls us away from our calling — and how Jesus invites us to lay it down for something far greater. 👉 Don't sacrifice your calling on the altar of comparison.

How do you know what's actually true anymore? In a world shaped by algorithms, the loudest voices often feel like the truest ones. Repetition creates belief, confidence gets amplified, and scrolling slowly rewires what we trust. In this message Jeff Brodie explores how our feeds are shaping our beliefs — and how Jesus offers a grounded way to find clarity in the noise. Because truth isn't discovered by scrolling more. It's formed by who you trust.