“There’s miracles in the monotony.”

In this episode of Mercycast, host Adsum Try Ravenhill and guest Raleigh explore the profound significance of walking as a metaphor for life and faith. They discuss personal experiences of walking, the concept of pilgrimage, and the importance of community and solitude in life's journey. The conversation emphasizes that walking is not just a physical act but a spiritual practice connecting us to ourselves, others, and the divine. Raleigh shares insights from his recent pilgrimage experiences, highlighting the lessons learned about provision, trust, and the beauty of imperfection.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• Walking is a universal act that connects us all.
• Pilgrimage is about intention, not just destination.
• Solitude allows for deep reflection and personal growth.
• Walking with others fosters community and support.
• Everyday life can be a pilgrimage if approached with intention.
• Provision comes in unexpected ways during our journeys.
• Embracing imperfection is key to personal development.
• Walking helps us to slow down and appreciate life.
• The journey is as important as the destination.
• We are all on a pilgrimage, seeking something greater than ourselves.

Email us at info@mercycast.com. You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh Sadler on Twitter and Instagram.

For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.

What doesn’t kill you may make you weaker. And that’s okay.

In this conversation, Raleigh and Adsum Ravenhill discuss the concept of suffering and how it can be used for the good of others. They explore the idea that vulnerability and suffering can bless those around us and that our pain can help others find hope and healing. They also discuss the importance of situating our suffering within a greater story and finding redemption in our experiences. Through personal stories and reflections, they highlight the transformative power of suffering and its role in shaping our faith and relationships. Adsum Try Ravenhill and Raleigh discuss the power of vulnerability and weakness in this conversation. They share personal stories and insights on how suffering and weakness can be used to encourage and bless others. They emphasize the importance of authenticity and transparency and how vulnerability can deepen relationships and create growth opportunities. They also highlight the role of Scripture in providing perspective and hope while suffering.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• Suffering can be a blessing to others when we are vulnerable and open about our pain.
• Our suffering can be used for the good of God's people and can bring hope and healing to others.
• We can grow and learn deeply through our pain by situating our suffering within a greater story and finding redemption in our experiences.
• Suffering can strengthen our faith and deepen our relationships with others. Suffering and weakness can be used to encourage and bless others.
• Being vulnerable and transparent deepens relationships and creates growth opportunities.
• Scripture provides perspective and hope while suffering.
• Our weakness is a pathway that connects us to God and others.
• Adversity exposes our true selves and teaches us to care for others.
• Vulnerability is the great equalizer that connects us as human beings.
• "What if our pain actually helped other people?"
• "We struggle with this idea of vulnerability; we struggle with this idea of suffering."
• "The vulnerabilities, the difficulties, the struggles, the burdens, the sufferings that we go through, we often, in fact, usually don't know what they're for, either until afterward or never."
• "It's going to change the trajectory of somebody else's life completely."
• "They need to see how a man of God suffers. They need this example."

Have you enjoyed hearing from Adsum? Feel free follow him on X and to read some of his articles.

Email us at info@mercycast.com. You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh Sadler on Twitter and Instagram.

For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.

I am joined by Shannon Popkin, author, speaker, and podcast host, in this episode. We dive deep and discuss the harmful effects of comparison and how it can hinder our ability to live a fulfilling life. In light of Shannon’s books, Comparison Girl, Lessons from Jesus on Me Free Living in a Measure Up World and the new book Comparison Girl for Teens, Thriving Beyond Measure in a World that Compares, we explore the idea that comparison is not a game, but a strategy used by the enemy to distract and destroy us. The conversation concludes with a discussion on shifting from a me-focused to a me-free mindset, where we focus on pouring ourselves out and lifting others up. We also discuss that our confidence and freedom flow from looking to Jesus and serving others rather than focusing on ourselves. This conversation is for you if you’ve ever compared yourself to anyone else.

Highlights and takeaways from the conversation:

• Comparison is a strategy used by the enemy to distract and destroy us.
• We fall into the comparison trap daily by hyper-focusing on ourselves and constantly measuring.
• Jesus teaches us that success and greatness in his kingdom differ from the world's standards.
• Shifting from a me-focused to a me-free mindset involves pouring ourselves out and lifting others up.
• When we realize that Christ has already proven everything we couldn't, we no longer have anything to prove.
• Comparison leads to a never-ending cycle of trying to measure up and seeking approval.
• Jesus offers a different way of living, where our confidence and freedom come from serving others and looking to Him.
• Paying attention to the messaging we listen to is crucial, as it can align with Jesus' words or the world's influence.
• Our rewards are not tied to results but to being faithful servants with what we have been entrusted.
• "Comparison is at the root of many of our insecurities."
• "Comparison is a strategy that our enemy uses against us."
• "Comparison holds me back from serving others."
• "And if someone makes fun of you or something doesn't go your way, it's like your skin is being ripped from you."
• "A danger that a lot of us in Christendom face is many of us have made self-loathing a virtue."

Enjoy this episode? Learn more about Shannon at her website. Email us at info@mercycast.com. You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh Sadler on Twitter and Instagram.

For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.