Followed By Mercy

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Some of the most exhausted people in the world are sitting in church pews, trying to follow a list of requirements they can never satisfy. Join Austin Gardner as he uncovers the gospel hidden in the Old Testament. This isn’t about behavior modification or trying harder; it’s about a Father who prepared a way home before his children ever left. Whether you're in a dark place or just soul-tired, this episode will remind you that God’s love is the foundation of your existence, not a response to your behavior.

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We often divide the Bible into two Gods: the "angry" God of the Old Testament and the "loving" God of the New. Austin Gardner is here to bridge that gap. In this episode of the Grace series, we look at the Book of Exodus not as a list of demands, but as a monument to God’s patience and provision. Whether it’s bitter water turning sweet or a covenant renewed after a massive failure, Exodus proves that God has always chosen rescue over requirements.

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"When did grace begin?" If you said Calvary or Pentecost, you might be missing the most beautiful part of the story. Join Austin Gardner as he journeys through the Book of Genesis to uncover the "God of Grace" who has been pursuing humanity since the foundation of the world.

Through the stories of Adam, Noah, Abraham, and Joseph, Austin reveals that God wasn’t a distant judge who later "softened up" when Jesus arrived. He has always been the Seeker, the Provider, and the one who binds Himself to promises even when we fail. If you’ve ever felt like you weren't "good enough" for God, this episode will turn your theology upside down and give you a place to truly rest.

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The loudest voice in your life is usually the one inside your own head—but is it telling the truth? In this powerful message, Austin Gardner explores a fundamental reality: The story you believe determines the life you live.

Drawing on the account of the twelve spies in Numbers and the famous story of the Prodigal Son, Austin illustrates how pain, betrayal, and shame can lead us to rewrite our history in ways God never intended. Whether you see yourself as a "grasshopper" in a land of giants or a "day laborer" unworthy of sonship, those are versions written by pain, not by the Father.

The Gospel isn’t about trying to change God's mind about you; it’s about letting God change your mind about yourself.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Grasshopper Complex: Why ten spies saw giants while two saw God—and how your perspective dictates your victory.
• "Who Told You That?": A look at Genesis 3 and why we believe lies about our own inadequacy.
• The Father’s Party: A fresh look at the Prodigal Son through the lens of the Father’s joy, rather than the son’s shame.
• New Identity vs. Improved Old Story: Why 2 Corinthians 5:17 means your "junk" hasn't just been fixed—it's been passed away.
• The Joseph Perspective: How to see the "evil intent" of others as the "good purpose" of God.

Scripture References:

• Numbers 13:33
• John 8:32
• Genesis 3:11
• Luke 15:11-32
• 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Ephesians 5:8
• Genesis 50:20
• Romans 12:2

waustingardner.com

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Most of us see Christianity as a journey to become something—to learn the rules, master the doctrine, and fix our behavior. But in Ephesians 4:20, Paul says something shocking: "You have not so learned Christ."

In this episode, Austin Gardner explores the difference between learning about Jesus and actually learning Him. Using the beautiful analogy of a 50-year marriage, Austin shares how our walk with God isn't about graduation; it’s about orientation. It’s a lifelong process of hearing His voice and discovering that eternal life isn’t just a destination—it’s the intimacy of knowing the Father right now, even in the middle of cancer, trials, and "the mess."

Key Takeaways:

• Past Tense Grace: You have already "learned Christ"—it’s a finished work you can rest in.
• Relationship > Ritual: Why knowing a person changes you more than studying a textbook ever could.
• The Abiding Life: How to "hang out" with God instead of gritting your teeth to be "better."

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Do you feel like God is an angry judge who only tolerates you because He’s looking through a "Jesus filter"?

In the final installment of this series, W. Austin Gardner and Steve McVey (author of Grace Walk) dismantle one of the most damaging lies in modern Christianity: the idea that the Father is a vengeful punisher while the Son is a merciful savior.

What you’ll discover in this session:

• The "Jesus Filter" Fallacy: Why the Father, Son, and Spirit were all in the rescue mission together—not at odds with each other.
• The Eternal Love Party: Why humanity wasn't a "Plan B" to fix sin, but an invitation to join the pre-existing love of the Trinity.
• Redefining Justice: Moving from "Judicial Justice" (retribution) to "Divine Justice" (restoration).
• The Cross wasn't for God’s Anger: Understanding that the Cross was God’s way of reconciling the world to Himself, not a way to "get it out of His system."

The Big Takeaway:
The Gospel didn't start with your sin; it started with God’s love. You were created not to be a project, but to be a participant in a love that has existed for all eternity.

Chapters:
0:00 - The "Jesus Filter" Problem
7:45 - Is Jesus Nicer Than God?
14:20 - The Eternal Love Party: Our True Origin
25:10 - Why the Cross wasn't Plan B
33:45 - Judicial vs. Divine Justice: Restoring the Broken
46:30 - Final Reflections on the Grace Walk

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Are you exhausted from trying to "achieve" a spiritual status you already possess?

In part two of this deep-dive series, W. Austin Gardner and Grace Walk author Steve McVey dismantle the "Original Lie" that keeps most Christians stuck in a cycle of religious performance. Austin shares a candid confession about his early years in ministry: he used to read the Bible like a "Chilton’s Repair Manual"—looking for instructions to fix himself instead of looking for the heart of his Father.

Key Themes in this Episode:

• The Chilton’s Manual Trap: Moving from "How do I fix this?" to "Who is my Father?"
• The First Act of Religion: Why Adam and Eve’s fig leaves were the birth of legalism.
• Doing vs. Being: Understanding that we don't "do to be" (servants/children); we "do because we are."
• The Idolatry of Guilt: Why wallowing in self-condemnation is actually a rejection of the finished work of Christ.

The Big Takeaway:
God doesn't need your service. He spoke the universe into existence—He’s doing just fine. But He wants you. He invites you into His work not because He needs an employee, but because He loves His child.

Chapters:
0:00 - Why God Doesn't Need You (But Wants You)
8:45 - Confessions of a "Bible Repair Manual" Reader
15:30 - The Original Sin: The Myth of Independence
24:10 - Fig Leaves: The Birth of Religion
32:50 - The Lie: Trying to Become What You Already Are
45:15 - Is Your Guilt Actually Idolatry?

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What happens when you’ve known someone longer than your own wife? You get the kind of raw, honest conversation that only 54 years of friendship can produce.

In this episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner sits down with his lifelong friend and mentor, Steve McVey—the best-selling author of Grace Walk. They take us back to the beginning in 1972, sharing hilarious stories of street preaching and "witnessing" in bars, before diving into a profound truth: the danger of asking God to know Him more deeply.

Inside the Episode:

• The Bumblebee Bar Story: Why Betty (Austin’s wife) caught him coming out of a bar at a Baptist college.
• The Performance Trap: How Steve went from a "successful" pastor at 19 to finding true intimacy with Christ.
• Defining Brokenness: Why Steve defines brokenness as "giving up confidence in our own ability to manage life."
• The "Dangerous Prayer": Why praying to know God more deeply often leads to chaos, but always leads to grace.

Whether you are struggling with the pressure to perform or navigating your own season of "chaos," this conversation is a roadmap to finding rest in the finished work of Jesus.

Connect with Austin Gardner:
🌐 Website: https://waustingardner.com
📩 Substack: https://waustingardner.substack.com
📘 Alignment Ministries: https://alignmentministries.com

About Steve McVey:
Steve is the author of Grace Walk and has spent decades helping people move from performance-based religion to the freedom of a relationship with Christ.

SEO & Ranking Keywords

• Primary Keyphrase: Grace vs Performance
• Secondary Keywords: Steve McVey Grace Walk, Austin Gardner Podcast, Christian Brokenness, Spiritual Growth through Chaos, Finding Peace in Christ, Grace-filled Leadership, Overcoming the Performance Trap.

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• "Evicting Shame and Embracing the Identity of the Beloved."

Podcast Show Notes / Description:
"Most of us are busy trying to 'fix' ourselves, but Mike Pennington suggests a different path: Spiritual Direction. Unlike coaching, which focuses on your next action step, Spiritual Direction asks: 'What is God’s invitation to you right now?'

Austin and Mike get 'down in the weeds' to talk about:

• Shame & Self-Rejection: Why the devil never takes a day off, and how to use Romans 8:1 as your defensive line.
• Living in the Present Tense: Why God is 'the God of the I AM,' not the God of your past trauma.
• The Power of Being Seen: Why every human needs to feel seen, soothed, safe, and secure in the arms of the Father.

Resources Mentioned:

• Mike Pennington’s Website: belovedlivingnow.com
• Christie Pennington’s Spiritual Direction: ChristiCoaching.com
• The REACH Forgiveness Tool (Google 'REACH Forgiveness' for the full path).

Connect with Austin:
Visit waustingardner.com for more resources on grace-filled leadership and marriage restoration."

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Are you living as God’s employee or His beloved child?

In this episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner sits down with his longtime friend and cousin, Mike Pennington, to discuss the radical shift from performance-based religion to the rest of "belovedness."

Mike shares his journey from the hills of Tennessee to the mission fields of Venezuela, revealing how even decades of successful ministry can hide an exhausted soul. If you’ve ever felt like your spiritual life is just a series of spinning plates, this conversation is your permission to let them drop.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Iceberg Analogy: Why 90% of your spiritual life happens under the surface.
• Breaking the Chain: How Mike and his wife, Kristi, intentionally broke the cycle of anger in their family heritage.
• Practical Soul Care: Why you need to visit your "Beloved Tree" every morning.
• The Sabbath Shift: How to unplug from technology to plug back into God’s presence.
• The Power of Holy Imagination: Why Jesus wants to give you a hug before you start your "To-Do" list.

Resources Mentioned:

• Mike’s Website: belovedlivingnow.com
• Kristi’s Website: christycoaching.com
• Soul Care Institute: soulcareinstitute.com
• Austin Gardner’s Hub: waustingardner.com

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