Christmas is over, but we remain an Advent people—rooted in Christ's first coming and alert for His coming again. In this episode, Brian Myers and Derrick Scott III welcome Will Clark to explore what it means to live faithfully in the "already and not yet" of God's kingdom. Together, they discuss where we see God's kingdom breaking through today, where we feel the ache of what's still to come, and how holy expectation can fuel our ordinary days. This conversation offers practical wisdom for scheduling our lives around Jesus and staying awake to grace as we enter a new year.

Show Notes

03:23 - Understanding the "already and not yet" of God's kingdom

06:50 - Where do you see the kingdom already at work today?

14:38 - Where do you feel the ache of the not yet?

19:51 - How anticipation of Christ's return changes our priorities

24:52 - Small faithful steps instead of grand New Year's resolutions

29:18 - Final words: A compass for living between the Advents

For more information on the year-long Awaken to Grace series, visit awakenedtograce.org.

Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship.

In this special Christmas episode, hosts Brian Myers and Jenn Stiles Williams are joined by Bishop Tom Berlin to explore the profound mystery of the Incarnation—God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. They discuss what it means that God chose to enter the world as a vulnerable baby, how "Emmanuel" (God with us) shapes our daily lives, and why wonder is an essential spiritual practice. From the humility of the manger to the call to embody Christ's love in ordinary moments, this conversation invites us to experience Christmas not just as a story from 2000 years ago, but as God's ongoing presence breaking into our neighborhoods today. Enjoy!

Show Notes

00:12 - Introduction to the Incarnation and welcoming Bishop Tom Berlin

02:11 - Bishop Berlin explains what the Incarnation means and how the Gospels present it differently

08:41 - Discussion of "God with us" (Emmanuel) and what that means in our current moment

19:13 - How the Incarnation shapes our everyday bodies, work, and tasks

25:07 - Wonder as a neglected spiritual practice and keeping humility in view

34:13 - Final thoughts: Finding moments of stillness, peace, and practicing eyes-wide-open wonder

For more information on the year-long Awaken to Grace series, visit awakenedtograce.org.

Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship.

In this episode of Awaken to Grace, hosts Brian Myers and Jenn Stiles Williams are joined by Rev. Will Clark from Isle Faith United Methodist Church in Jacksonville to explore incarnate love during the fourth week of Advent. They discuss how Advent love differs from sentiment—it's God's concrete, costly decision to be with us and for us in Jesus. Jenn offers her "controversial take" that love should precede joy because fierce, radical love produces joy rooted in God's strength. Drawing on John 3:16-17, Joseph's obedient love, and reflections on reconciliation, they examine how love is active presence, protection, and truthful companionship. The conversation includes personal stories of courageous presence—Jenn accepting a new conference role, Will trusting God to love his daughter from afar, and Brian stepping into podcast ministry. They discuss practical ways to embody Christ's love through daily reflection, "holy ears," healthy boundaries, and the call for laity to carry incarnate love into public spaces. They conclude with reflections on how Joseph gave his whole life to this story and a prayer for lighting the fourth Advent candle.

Show Notes:

• [0:05] Introduction: The Incarnate Love of Advent - The Reason for It All
• [3:39] Jenn's Controversial Take: Love Before Joy
• [7:16] Courageous Presence: Where Has God's Love Moved You?
• [14:52] John 3:16 for Weary Hearts: God Came Not to Judge but to Save
• [20:53] Living Out Love: Daily Obedience and "Dear God...Amen"
• [31:07] Joseph's Obedient Love: Giving His Name and His Whole Life

For more information on the year-long Awaken to Grace series, visit awakenedtograce.org.

Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship.

In this episode of Awaken to Grace, hosts Brian Myers and Derrick Scott III are joined once again by Rev. Dr. Debbie Allen to explore the theme of joy during the third week of Advent. They discuss how Advent joy differs from happiness—it's a Spirit-given gladness rooted in God's presence and promises that can flourish even in difficult circumstances. Drawing on Mary's Magnificat, Isaiah 35, and James 5, they examine how joy and justice are intertwined, how joy can be defiant in the face of opposition, and why God's joy takes sides with the marginalized. The conversation includes personal stories of joy blossoming from hard ground, practical disciplines like journaling gratitude and singing lustily in worship, and Brian's humorous confession about the rose-colored Advent candle. They conclude by reflecting on patience as the greenhouse where joy takes root and offering a prayer for lighting the third Advent candle.

For more on the year-long Awakened to Grace series, check out awakenedtograce.org. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship. Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley.

Show Notes:

00:11 - Welcome and introduction to the third week of Advent: the disruptive joy of Advent

02:36 - What is joy? Distinguishing joy from happiness and connecting it to God's presence

09:30 - Stories of joy blossoming from hard ground in difficult family moments

14:58 - Mary's Magnificat: An anthem of defiant joy and justice

21:10 - How joy and justice go together—returning to God's intended goodness

25:25 - Practices for cultivating joy: journaling gratitude, singing lustily, and being present

In this episode of Awaken to Grace, hosts Brian Myers and Derrick Scott III are joined by Rev. Dr. Debbie Allen, Southwest District Superintendent, for a conversation about the second week of Advent. They explore the biblical concept of peace drawing on Isaiah 11 and John the Baptist's call to prepare the way through repentance. The conversation reframes repentance as reorientation, and discusses practical ways to be peacemakers during the busy holiday season, including the importance of intentionality, slowing down, and practices like labyrinth prayer walks. They conclude by reflecting on lighting the second Advent candle and offering a prayer for peace in our homes, churches, and world.

For more on the year-long Awakened to Grace series, check out awakenedtograce.org. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship. Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley.

In this episode of Awaken to Grace, hosts Brian Myers, Rev. Jenn Stiles Williams, and Derrick Scott III kick off the Advent season with a conversation about hope. They explore Advent as a time of waiting, expectation, and preparation for Christ's coming, discussing how it invites honest reflection about the brokenness in our world while resisting cynicism through gospel-centered hope. Drawing on Romans 13 and Charles Wesley's hymn "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus," they emphasize the communal nature of hope—how we can share and borrow each other's hope when our own runs low—and conclude by discussing the symbolism of lighting the first Advent candle as piercing darkness with light.

For more on the year-long Awakened to Grace series, check out awakenedtograce.org. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship. Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley.

Join hosts Brian Myers, Rev. Jenn Stiles Williams, and Derrick Scott III as they launch the Awaken to Grace podcast. The hosts share how this podcast began with Brian's questions about Wesleyan faith and connects to the broader "Awakened to Grace" year-long initiative for the Florida Conference. This weekly podcast promises real, authentic conversations about grace and what it means to be United Methodists in Florida today. For info on the series, check out awakentograce.org.

Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship. Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley.