Episodes

  • (093) God Dreams: Hearing God in Dreams and Visions – Tania Harris

    (093) God Dreams: Hearing God in Dreams and Visions – Tania Harris
    Nov 25 2024
    God’s most common way of speaking in biblical history is through dreams and visions. But today many of us are more likely to dismiss our visionary experiences as the product of a spicy meal rather than a potential message from God. But could we be missing out on the voice we so long to hear? Today’s show is a different one where we flip the roles around on the show! Hosted by one of our volunteer God Conversations team members, Ali Kennedy, we hear from Tania Harris, Director of God Conversations and the author of the brand new book, God Dreams: How to Hear God’s Voice in Dreams and Visions. You’ll get a taster of what the new book is all about, plus a peak behind the scenes of the writing process. You’ll hear about: Tania’s motivation for writing the book… 25 years in the making, the book began with a personal journey when Tania first heard God speak in a dream. The problem was she had never heard teaching on the topic and when she sought to seek understanding from others, she encountered skepticism, misunderstanding and even mockery. I told my friends about my God dream and they thought I was strange. I told my pastor and he said I was strange. Then I read my Bible and I realised they were strange too, because they heard from God in dream-visions all the time! Why the topic of dreams and visions is so neglected in the church - even when it makes up an enormous proportion of the biblical material. Tania explains the reasons for this “blind spot” in the Western church. Some of the most pivotal points in biblical history happened while someone was sleeping. Why God might favour dreams and visions as a form of communication above other means. Tania reflects on the insights of neuroscience and why they point to our masterful communicator who knows the best way to get the message across. A picture really does tell a thousand words! The difference between a dream and a vision. Tania’s greatest challenge in writing the book - exploring John’s visions of Revelation, our best example of a visual God conversation in the early church. Tania joined a Revelation scholars group to ensure her interpretations had solid grounding in church tradition and biblical exegesis! Tania explains that John’s visions are not difficult to understand once you know how to interpret the language of symbolism. Listen to the interview! Subscribe to God Conversations with Tania Harris and never miss an episode! Inspired by the interview? Check out God Dreams the book!
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    38 mins
  • (092) Hearing God and Evangelism – Dave Shepherd

    (092) Hearing God and Evangelism – Dave Shepherd
    Oct 21 2024
    It's Not our Job to Convert Anyone! Jesus’ last words on earth was to go into all the world and share the good news (Matt. 28:18-20). But at the same time, we know that it’s not our job to convict, convert or save anyone! The Holy Spirit alone works in people’s hearts and we should never try to control or coerce another person’s choices. So how does this work in practise? What role does the Holy Spirit play in evangelism? These days, evangelism doesn’t have such a great name. Whether it’s the image of the Bible-thumping, money-seeking TV evangelist or the fire-breathing angry preacher on the street corner, no-one seems to be listening. Perhaps we’ve forgotten what our job is? What should evangelism look like when the Holy Spirit is working with us? Our guest Dave Shepherd is here to offer some insights. Dave is a Baptist preacher from Adelaide who had a spectacular God conversation in his teens that changed his life. His insights point us to a way of working with the Holy Spirit that is powerful and beautiful. And it takes the pressure off! On this episode of the show, you’ll hear about: Dave’s back story - how Dave grew up serving the “God of sport and basketball,” and how a God-encounter at age 16 changed the trajectory of his life. Dave’s reflections on being raised in a church family and dealing with the questions that confronted him as he grew into adulthood.. Is this real or fake? Is Jesus the one? Why should I follow Jesus? How God answered Dave’s questions through a powerful God dream. Jesus was literally standing right in front of me and he had tears in his eyes and he looked at me and he said, “this is why.” The role of the Holy Spirit - who speaks to draw people closer to God as they posture their hearts to seek him. The motivation for evangelism. The first disciples shared their faith because Christ’s love compelled them. No specific "program" was needed because they operated out of relationship. Our role in sharing faith. The Holy Spirit is already at work in the world - our role is to discern and co-operate with what the Holy Spirit is doing. This is incredibly freeing as it takes the pressure off! I cannot change anyone no matter how convincing I am, how great my theology is or how wonderful my apologetics are - none of that can make faith come alive in a person’s heart. Subscribe to God Conversations with Tania Harris and never miss an episode! About Dave Shepherd Dave Shepherd is the Lead Pastor of Hills Baptist Church (www.hillsbaptist.com), a multisite church community in Adelaide with a vision to see Jesus glorified, lives transformed and the hope of the Gospel revealed throughout the world. Dave is a co-founder of Ignite Ministries and the One Church podcast, where he works with other believers and church leaders to call the Church to unity, prayer, and worship. Dave’s heart and gifting is to fearlessly proclaim the truth of the Gospel, to raise up the next generation of leaders, and to plant churches that plant churches. Dave is married to his wife Jo and together they have three children, Bailey, Mabel and Benji.
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    40 mins
  • (091) The God Conversations that Shaped the Salvation Army – Kim Haworth

    (091) The God Conversations that Shaped the Salvation Army – Kim Haworth
    Sep 23 2024
    The Salvation Army is an incredible movement that works in 136 countries around the world and began in the streets of nineteenth century London by William and Catherine Booth. It is both a church and charity, known for its focus on justice, compassion, and supporting the welfare of others. But did you know that the Salvos began in the power and revelation of the Holy Spirit? On this episode of God Conversations, we talk to Major Kim Haworth about the God conversations that shaped the Salvation Army - affectionately known (in Australia!) as the Salvos. Kim is a major in the Salvos and leads the state of NSW/ACT as Divisional commander. She explains that the Holy Spirit was at the centre of the Salvation Army work from the very beginning. You'll hear about: Kim’s story - how she made a decision to follow Jesus at age 31. Kim tells of her belief in God in her earlier years, but how a life-changing encounter in church introduced her to relationship with God at a personal level. Kim’s unexpected God conversation that led her into ministry with the Salvation Army. I heard in my mind, “you know you’re going to be an officer don’t you?” To which I replied “yes!” and felt this crazy sense of peace from the top of my head to the tips of my toes - that is until I realised what I said! The origins of the Salvation Army and how the Holy Spirit led William Booth to reach "the lost, last and least." These were the people other churches weren’t reaching because they were the "tough ones." Booth's approach was to raise up a volunteer army to fight for God's kingdom in a spiritual battle. He used military vocabulary because it was well respected and widely understood at the time. The fundamental understanding of the Salvation Army that salvation is wholistic and involves every part of ourselves. “There is no gospel, but the social gospel - salvation is wholistic - the total redemption of mind, body and spirit. People can’t hear about the gospel while their tummies are rumbling.” A little of William Booth's story and how he received pushback from the established church because the people he was ministering to didn't fit in and weren't welcomed. Booth realised he would have to create a safe place for them to flourish and hence, new churches were founded. The role of the Holy Spirit in establishing new movements. Often we begin in the fire of the Holy Spirit, but then we get comfortable and shift into maintenance mode. Hence the need to constantly stir up the Spirit in our hearts, listen to what God is saying and bravely re-pioneer... “We see God move most in our lives when we're out of our depth.” Subscribe to God Conversations with Tania Harris and never miss an episode! About Kim Haworth Major Kim Haworth is the Divisional Commander of the NSW and ACT Division of The Salvation Army. She has served in pastoral ministry for 10 years with her husband, Steve as Corps Officers (lead pastors) in country Victoria and Melbourne, as well as four years as the Divisional Commander for Tasmania. Kim has completed undergraduate and post graduate studies in Ministry and Theology and holds a Vice Chancellor’s Scholar award from the University of Divinity. She have three great adult kids - Jayden, Stacey and Bryce. Kim is passionate about living in the presence of God every day, and sharing the life of freedom and joy, that Jesus died to give all people who call on His name.
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    35 mins
  • (090) A School in Revival – Jeff Davis

    (090) A School in Revival – Jeff Davis
    Aug 25 2024
    A School without Rules? How Holy Spirit can Change How we Learn When we think of the Holy Spirit, we think about the God who saves us spiritually, but did you know that an encounter with the Spirit also helps us to learn? Experiencing the Holy Spirit could even improve your grades at school! In this fascinating interview, I talk with Jeff Davis, Principal of Hillcrest Christian College on the Gold Coast, Australia. In the past year, they’ve experienced incredible revival among their students, with over a hundred baptisms, the commencement of over 20 new bible study groups and enthusiastic mosh pit worship sessions. Jeff talks about how the faith of the students has become real; how they’ve seen healing and transformation of behaviour and how they students have even been leading the adults! More so, Jeff reflects on how understanding Jesus and encountering the Spirit changes the way we do education. You’ll hear about: Jeff’s back story and his own God conversation story that led to the miraculous conception of his first child. How the revival at Hillcrest College began when staff were inspired by the events at Asbury University, USA and felt led to pray. An altar call at the school chapel service followed and 400 students came forward… One boy who was suspended at the time felt God’s presence come on him in his home. He rang the school and said, “what happened?” The difference revival has made in the school. Jeff tells of the damage done to students' learning ability through exposure to certain material to the internet, and how the Holy Spirit is restoring hearts and minds. People without faith know there’s something different - they just can’t understand what it is. How Spirit encounters reorient us to a more wholistic approach to education. The spiritual dimension is necessary for success! The need for safety and vulnerability to experience God. Jeff explains that the Holy Spirit is free to move when we feel safe and secure. This includes our emotions. A school without rules? Jeff explains how the school aims to shift from a negative orientation to a positive, redemptive approach that is based on the way of Jesus. The goal is for relationships, safety and emotions to be a part of education so that students can come to school seeking to grow not thinking they’re going to get into trouble. This is the power of the Holy Spirit in education. We encourage you to listen to Jeff’s interview and pass it onto parents, teachers and school leaders or anyone who is seeking to learn! Subscribe to God Conversations with Tania Harris and never miss an episode! About Jeff Davis Jeff Davis is the Executive Head of College at Hillcrest Christian College on the Gold Coast, Australia. With over 35 years of experience in education and more than 20 years as a principal, Jeff has led some of the largest and fastest-growing schools in Australia. His passion lies in challenging current education norms and driving change to provide a world-leading educational experience. At the core of this approach is a focus on wellbeing and emotional intelligence, aiming to prepare students for the evolving global landscape. Jeff believes holistic learning involves developing the whole child across four domains: Intellectual, Emotional, Spiritual, and Wellbeing. He shares his insights on innovation and leadership at conferences, on radio and various podcasts, and through his latest book ‘Leading the Learning Revolution’. Hillcrest Christian College has achieved remarkable growth and recognition under Jeff’s leadership, labelled one of the fastest-growing independent schools in Australia and receiving an Innovative Schools Award from Educator Magazine. In 2018, Cambridge University recognised Hillcrest as one of the top 100 Most Innovative Schools globally.
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    32 mins
  • (089) Common Mistakes in Dream Interpretation – Tony Cooke

    (089) Common Mistakes in Dream Interpretation – Tony Cooke
    Jul 28 2024
    Hearing God in a dream can be a life-changing experience, but it can also be a confusing one! Dreams speak a symbolic and sometimes confusing language and the process of interpretation is not well understood, making it subject to mistakes and abuse. It’s no wonder the claim to hearing God in a dream is often met with skepticism, disinterest and even mockery. Dream interpretation is more art than science, so it isn’t always straightforward or formulaic, but there are some principles we can learn that will help us hear God more clearly in this creative and powerful way. In this episode of the show, I talk with British dreams expert Tony Cooke about the common mistakes people make when learning to hear God in dreams. We unpack the dynamics of the God-dream experience so that you can confidently discern God’s voice as we sleep. You’ll discover: A little of Tony’s back story and how he became interested in dream interpretation when prophetic experiences broke out in his church. Mistake 1: misunderstanding the symbolism of people in our dreams. One of the biggest mistakes people make is when they see a related person in their dream and they assume the dream is about that person. Mistake 2: over-reliance on dream dictionaries. A dream dictionary is helpful in teaching us about symbolism, but has limited use, because symbols must be understood in the context of the dreamer's life. Mistake 3: fixating on individual symbols while not considering the bigger picture. Mistake 4: dream interpreters who lapse into prophecy and thereby add to the message of the dream. Mistake 5: the inability to discern between soul and spirit in a dream. A reminder that making mistakes is part of the learning process! Given our propensity for error, humility in dream interpretation is crucial. We also need to receive training and be willing to reflect on our experiences in community. The biggest mistake of all is not getting trained properly. Humility says, “I need to know how to do this properly or I can do damage.” Subscribe to God Conversations with Tania Harris and never miss an episode! About Tony Cooke Tony is the founder of The Dream Academy (www.thedreamacademy.online), an online training and support site for biblical dream interpreters. He and his wife Dwee planted pastored the Cheltenham Vineyard Church in 2009 and later continued to teach and train in many countries including The Netherlands, Canada, Switzerland, India, South Africa, USA, Spain and Ireland. Tony is also on the Leadership Board of Patria Ministries International, a global family of businesses, churches, ministries and itinerant ministers which provides a highly interdependent personal environment where leaders can build relationships and be strengthened and equipped for greater Kingdom influence. Tony and his wife Dwee have two grown up children and live on the south coast of England.
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    41 mins
  • (088) The Spirit Among the Poor with Bob Ekblad

    (088) The Spirit Among the Poor with Bob Ekblad
    Jun 23 2024
    Bob heard God speak at a Bible Study with Prisoners. Then this happened... Jesus was known for the way he interacted with those on the margins of society - the tax collectors everyone despised, the lepers no-one would touch, the cripples and the prostitutes society rejected. Jesus' teaching and interactions constantly reflected God’s heart for those who had been forgotten and left behind. So today, when we hear the Spirit as Jesus’ continuing voice, we shouldn’t be surprised that we find themselves in similar places! That is, we will be led to love the poor as Jesus did. In this episode, we talk about the revelatory work of Holy Spirit among the poor with someone who is doing just that. With his wife Gracie, Bob Ekblad lives out the heart of Jesus through the power and revelation of the Spirit. After living several years working in sustainable farming in Honduras and then studying theology in France, Bob and Gracie lead a church community known as Tierra Nueva (New Earth) in Washington state USA. Here, they come alongside immigrants, street people, addicts and prisoners to demonstrate the love of Jesus in practical and profound ways. You’ll hear about: Bob and Gracie’s fascinating story from a kibbutz in the Middle East to the cornfields of Honduras, the study halls of Paris and the streets of Washington state… How working with impoverished peasants in sustainable farming led to an unexpected request: “A lot of us are tough. Some of us are violent. We don’t put God first, but we notice you do. Could we begin our weekly farming courses with a Bible study?” Bob tells of his surprise and excitement as well as a deep sense of trepidation: “You pull out a Bible in that setting, and the people look like stray city dogs who are used to being kicked. They sleek off and lurk away, fearful of being beaten by the Bible, because that’s how the Bible has been used…” How reading the Bible with semi-literate, impoverished Latinos expanded Bob’s view of the Gospel story “When people are marginalised and from the lowest classes of society, they abandon all hope and throw themselves into a life of drinking and violence.” A defining moment in Bob’s journey towards understanding the Holy Spirit… Bob and Gracie came from a background of seeing only the abuses of Holy Spirit ministry and were fearful of engaging with Charismatic Christians. Yet, they recognised that their ministry desperately needed the power of the Holy Spirit, particularly as they were dealing with hardened criminals and addicts who easily relapsed. When Bob found himself in a charismatic conference, he felt the need to pray a prayer of protection over the Christians praying as they prayed! Then he received a piercingly accurate prophetic word that changed his life: “I see you in a circle of men in red uniforms sitting on blue plastic chairs. I think they’re prisoners. I hear the Father saying, “I love how you love my prisoners.” The shift in Bob’s ministry after receiving prayer for a healing anointing. Bob tells how Jesus’ teaching from Luke 15 became relevant for a self-confessed racist, neo-Nazi gang member in jail who wanted to learn how to get along with Mexicans. After the Bible study, a word from God and a simple prayer led to a miraculous healing for one of the jail members. The connection between hearing the Spirit and developing a heart for those who have suffered, even violent offenders. Bob shares how hearing God speak about the health conditions and root emotional problems of others revealed the kind of grace that did not require change of even faith to bring healing. In his words, "pre-emptive love doesn’t require a response - it elicits a response." About Bob Ekblad Bob and Gracie Ekblad are founders and co-directors of Tierra Nueva (New Earth) in Burlington, Washington. Together they minister at Tierra Nueva and at their home-based retreat centre, New Earth Refuge in the Skagit Valley.
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    42 mins
  • (087) God’s Voice and Healing – Kirk Delaney

    (087) God’s Voice and Healing – Kirk Delaney
    May 27 2024
    If you had to sum up the ministry of Jesus, it would include three features: teaching, exorcising demons and healing! As followers of Jesus and recipients of his Spirit, the church should also be known for healing. But how does it work, and what role does the Spirit’s voice have to play? In this episode of the God Conversations podcast, we talk with Kirk Delaney, Pastor of Pine Rivers Vineyard Church in Brisbane Queensland, Director of the Australian Vineyard Churches and a follower of Jesus who is experienced in hearing God's voice for healing. You’ll hear about: Kirk’s initial attraction to the Vineyard movement that came about because they were not just concerned with moral and spiritual transformation, but in partnering with the Holy Spirit to do the empowering works of Jesus, including healing the sick and casting out demons. "My question was, why are signs and wonders happening in the Majority world but not in the West?" The first major healing Kirk witnessed when the Holy Spirit fell on a woman with a pronounced curvature of the spine and a large protrusion on one of her shoulders. Over 45 mins of prayer, Kirk watched as her leg grew, her spine straightened and the bump on her shoulder disappeared like a deflating balloon. Kirk’s response was, “God, I don’t know you, do I?!” The connection between compassion and the the healing ministry of Jesus. Holy Spirit speaks to move us with love for hurting people in the manner of Jesus. The mandate on every person to continue Jesus’ ministry of healing. Everyone has authorisation to engage - not just the "super healers" on stage! “Everyone gets to do the work of Jesus!” The first time Kirk stepped out in hearing God’s voice and healing, involving an unusual story of a woman who had recently lost her husband and was suffering from an arthritic pinkie finger. Kirk explains how we hear God through all the senses - feeling, seeing, hearing - as God draws our attention to something in another person. “God I know you want to talk to me about healing for someone, but my right pinkie finger is really throbbing!” Advice for starting out: start simply - ask God, “is there anyone here on your heart that you would like to touch with your love today?” Kirk’s thoughts on why healing doesn’t always happen. Subscribe to God Conversations with Tania Harris and never miss an episode! About Kirk Delaney Kirk is married to Nichole and they have three young adult children and a new son-in-law. Together they pastor the Pine Rivers Vineyard Church in Brisbane and serve as the national directors of Vineyard Churches Australia (https://vineyard.org.au/). Kirk has been serving in local church ministry for 30 years and has a big heart to see God's people equipped for living the message, ministry and mission of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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    44 mins
  • (086) Hearing God with First Nations Peoples – Lydia Read

    (086) Hearing God with First Nations Peoples – Lydia Read
    Apr 19 2024
    All over the Western world, people are revisiting their history and in particular, their participation in colonialism. Many nations in the West were established in lands that were long inhabited by indigenous or First Nations peoples, with European settlement coming at a deadly and devastating cost. Debates rage as to how we should respond to a history that is often brutal and violent. For the Christian church, this means asking what the Spirit is saying about the topic. How do we respond to the cries of the native Indians of North America, the Inuit of Canada, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples of Australia, the Maori of New Zealand and so many others who still suffer from the effects of colonial domination? What does the Gospel of Jesus look like when it comes to reconciling our past with our future? On this episode of the podcast, we explore the question of what the Spirit is saying about First Nations people with Ps Lydia Read, leader of the New Wine Movement in New Zealand. Lydia is well-positioned to answer this question, having lived it alongside the Maori peoples of New Zealand. You’ll hear Lydia talk with Tania about: The history of the New Wine movement as well as Lydia’s personal story into her family’s adventures with the Holy Spirit. Lydia talks about the emphasis of New Wine on healing, reconciliation, justice and its role standing alongside the local church asking, “how can we help?” Lydia’s experience of reconciliation with the first peoples of her land - the Maori. Lydia explains that we start by making deep friendships with First Peoples in a way that reflect the ideals of covenant. That is, we form relationships as brothers and sisters together as the family of God. The need to watch our hearts and pursue the face of God in the journey of reconciliation. This calls us to deep humility. It involves learning together and talking about our cross-cultural differences. You start with watching your heart - the wellspring of life. Reconciliation calls us to deep humility and seeking after the identity God has for us as a nation and the people of God. How one of the earliest God conversations in the early church between people of two different cultures provides us with an example for us to follow. The Ethiopian Eunuch’s interaction with Phillip marked the first conversion in the church outside the Jewish race (Acts 8:26-40) and crossed enormous social barriers including race, sexuality and class. Lydia explain how conversations with the Maori about Scripture broadened her understanding of the Gospel. What it means to do “church” with people of different cultures - while cross-cultural integration is challenging, we are so much richer for it! Lydia shared how she learnt to play differently as a result of her relationship with Maori! The enormous significance of Jesus’ prayer that we may be one (John 17:20-23). How the process of reconciliation leads us into the heart of God as the Holy Spirit challenges how we think, even while our upbringings have shaped our thinking and often led us to avoid those who are different. When the Spirit falls and you pursue the things on God’s heart, everything falls into the right order. You start to see God’s justice and love for those on the margins. Subscribe to God Conversations with Tania Harris and never miss an episode! About Lydia Read The Spirit-stirring feeling that there must be more, and that a life of faith should mean a life of adventure is what first led Lydia (and husband Shane) to the New Wine movement (www.newwine.org.nz). A wild roller coaster ride of fun and adventure is one way to describe what’s happened since! Lydia leads the charge at New Wine with joyful devotion! She is energised by God’s church and being with ordinary people who live dynamic personal faith journeys - the true heroes of the faith. With the rest of her time, Lydia masters the role of cool grandma to six mokopuna ...
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    34 mins