Followed By Mercy

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Why do we feel like we have to "perform" to be loved by God? In this third part of our series, I’m joined by my cousin Mike Pennington to tackle the heavy weights of trauma and shame.

Mike opens up about his own childhood trauma and how it created a cycle of shame that took years to break. We discuss why shame is a "slap in the face to God's grace" and how to return to the reality that you are already 100% attached to Him—not because of what you’ve done, but because of who He is.

In this episode, we cover:

• The "LOTSA" framework for a simple Christian life: Love, Obey, Trust, Seek, Adore.
• The three questions God asks us in our mess: Where are you? Who are you listening to? What are you hungry for?
• How to stop "auditioning" for God and start abiding in Him.
• Why your past trauma does not define your standing with the Father.

"You can't do anything to make Him love you more, and you can't do anything to make Him love you less."

Connect with us:

• Website: waustingardner.com
• Join the community: W. Austin Gardner on Substack

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Austin Gardner, Mike Pennington, Followed by Mercy, Overcoming Shame, Healing from Trauma, Christian Identity, Grace vs Performance, Biblical Counseling, Abiding in Christ, John 17:23, Romans 8, Inner Healing, Spiritual Growth.

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Why is it so much easier to believe God loves us in our heads than it is to feel it in our hearts?

In today’s episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner continues his conversation with missionary and SoulCare coach Mike Pennington. Together, they dive deep into the "blockages" that keep us from resting in our identity as God’s beloved.

If you’ve ever felt like your spiritual life is just a "check-box" of performance, or if you struggle with a voice in your head telling you that you’re a mistake, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we discuss the 4 major enemies of belovedness:

1. Self-Rejection: Breaking the habit of negative self-talk.
2. Performance: Why the "exhausted life" is NOT the abundant life.
3. Perfectionism: The lie that you have to "fix yourself" before God can use you.
4. Shame: Moving from "I did something wrong" to "I am loved anyway."

Mike also shares the life-changing advice from Dallas Willard: "You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life."

Challenge for you today:
Try a "40-day fast" from self-rejection. Stop the negative self-talk and start listening for the voice of the Father saying, "Where are you? I miss you."

Resources Mentioned:
📖 John 17:23, Isaiah 43, Romans 5:6-8
🌐 Mike’s Website: [Beloved Living]
📩 Austin’s Substack: https://waustingardner.substack.com

Connect with Austin Gardner:
Website: https://waustingardner.com
Alignment Ministries: https://alignmentministries.com

#AustinGardner #FollowedByMercy #Belovedness #ChristianPodcast #OvercomingShame #GraceOverWorks #SoulCare #FaithWalk #DallasWillard

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Are you tired of trying to prove you deserve God’s love?

In this episode, Austin Gardner sits down with his cousin, Mike Pennington—a former missionary and pastor—for a deeply personal conversation about the "bedrock of a healthy soul": Belovedness.

For decades, both Austin and Mike lived under the heavy weight of legalism, relating to God through performance rather than relationship. Mike shares the transformative moment in the Colorado mountains where he finally heard the Father say, "Yes, you are my beloved child."

Inside this episode:

• Why we treat salvation like a gift but live like we have to pay it back.
• How childhood traumas of shame, fear, and anger color our view of God.
• The "Trifecta" of blockages that keep us from resting in grace.
• The life-changing truth of John 17:23: God loves you just as much as He loves Jesus.

If you’ve ever felt like you were on the "trash heap" of ministry or life, this episode is your invitation to stop striving and start being held.

Connect with us:
Visit waustingardner.com for more resources on grace and leadership.

https://belovedlivingnow.com

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"As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you." — Isaiah 66:13

We often focus on the "Fatherhood" of God, but on this Mother’s Day episode, Austin Gardner explores the deep, nurturing, and protective "Motherly" love of our Creator. Using his own childhood memories of his grandmother’s house and the profound imagery of Scripture, Austin reframes our relationship with God.

If you’ve ever felt like you were "auditioning" for God’s approval, listen to this. Austin explains how the Hebrew word for compassion is tied directly to the word for "womb," showing us that God’s love isn't a reaction to our behavior—it’s His very nature.

Key Takeaways:

• Love didn't start with Mamas; it started with God.
• The difference between "Daddy’s discipline" and "Mama’s comfort" in the eyes of God.
• Why God's love is a source of restoration, not a reward for performance.
• The Prodigal Son: A story of a Father who runs like a Mother toward His child.

Stop striving and start resting. You are not an employee; you are a beloved child held in the palms of a God who will never forget you.

Subscribe & Review:
If this message encouraged you, please leave a review and share it with someone who needs to know they are loved today!

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"Have you ever felt like you were auditioning for God instead of serving Him?

After 50 years in ministry—preaching thousands of sermons and traveling to 50 countries—I found myself exhausted. Not from the work, but from a deeper, invisible pressure: the Performance Trap.

In this video, I want to talk to the 'tired' people. The ones who know the verses about grace but secretly believe God is mostly disappointed with them. I share my own journey of hitting rock bottom in a hospital bed, where 21 days on a ventilator finally broke my addiction to 'proving my worth.'

We’ll explore:

• The Accounting Game: Why we try to pay for a gift Jesus already paid in full.
• Employer vs. Father: How to stop treating God like a boss who might fire you.
• The Prodigal Son’s Speech: Why the Father interrupts our apologies to give us a party.
• Rest as the Starting Line: Moving from 'fighting for love' to 'living from love.'

If you are tired of the scorecard and the spiritual ledgers, this is your invitation to exhale. The cross was not a down payment; it was the full payment. It is finished.

Key Scriptures: John 19:30, Luke 15, Colossians 2:14, Romans 8:15.

About Austin Gardner:
W. Austin Gardner is an author, speaker, and mentor who has spent five decades leading international ministries. After surviving Stage 4 cancer and a severe battle with COVID-19, he now focuses on helping leaders and believers move from performance-driven religion to a life followed by mercy.

🔗 Stay Connected:
Website: https://waustingardner.com
Substack: https://waustingardner.substack.com
Facebook: Alignment Ministries by Austin Gardner"

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Is your view of God missing the "Sweetest Comfort"?

In this special Mother's Day message, W. Austin Gardner dives into the profound mystery of God’s nature, revealing that while we often focus on God as Father, He explicitly describes His affection for us through the lens of a mother’s tenderness.

Drawing from Isaiah 66:13 ("As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you") and Isaiah 49:15, Austin explores why motherhood is one of God’s chosen windows into His own heart.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The Origin of Love: Why a mother’s love isn't the beginning of the story, but a reflection of a God who is love.
• The "Womb" Connection: A fascinating look at the Hebrew link between "compassion" and the "womb."
• Grace vs. Performance: Why God’s love isn't a reward for your production, but a sanctuary for your restoration.
• Personal Reflections: Austin shares sweet stories of his grandmother’s sugar-dipped biscuits and his 52 years of watching "Bible-kind" grace play out in his own family.

Whether you are a mother needing encouragement, someone struggling with the loss of a parent, or a leader feeling the weight of performance, this episode is a reminder that you are not just tolerated—you are desired. God’s love is not a reaction to your behavior; it is His very nature.

"A mother might forget, but I will never forget you."

Stop striving for a seat at the table. You’re already there.

Connect with Austin:
🔗 Website: waustingardner.com
📖 Substack: W. Austin Gardner | Substack
💡 Learn more about grace-based leadership at Alignment Ministries.

#MothersDay #BibleStudy #Isaiah66 #GodsLove #Grace #PastoralWisdom #AustinGardner #MinistryLeadership #FollowedByMercy

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If you’ve spent any time in church, you’ve probably heard the word "lost" used as a label for people who are "wicked" or "wrong." But in this powerful mission's message, Austin Gardner reframes the word "lost" through the eyes of Jesus.

[The Core Message]
"You don't lose a pen that has no value to you. You lose things that belong to you." Drawing from the parables in Luke 15—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost sons—Austin explores why God is more of a "Search Party" than a "Social Club."

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The Rebrand of "Lost": Why being lost means you are missing from where you belong, not that you are worthless.
• The Shepherd’s Shoulders: Why the Shepherd doesn't discipline the runaway sheep, but carries it home rejoicing.
• The Prodigal Father: A look at the extravagant, "crazy" love of a Father who runs toward the mess instead of waiting for an apology.
• The Older Brother Trap: How long-time believers can accidentally become "gatekeepers" instead of "door-openers."

[The Missions Call]
This isn't just a Bible study; it's a call to the "uttermost." Austin challenges us to see missions as a global search for the treasures God misses most. Whether it’s in Russia, China, or your own neighborhood, the message is the same: You are the reason He came.

[Call to Action]
Stop trying to perform and start resting in the mercy that is already pursuing you.

📖 Get more resources on grace and leadership: https://waustingardner.com
🌱 Partner with us in missions: https://alignmentministries.com
📲 Follow Austin on Substack: https://waustingardner.substack.com

#FollowedByMercy #Missions #Luke15 #RadicalGrace #WAustinGardner #BibleStudy #ProdigalSon #ChurchLeadership

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Are our children truly safe? Join Austin Gardner as he sits down with Navy veteran Hayley Thomas and former missionary Stephen Underwood from Black Flag International to discuss the heavy reality of child trafficking and the mission to stop it.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Mission of Black Flag: How elite veterans are using military skill sets to "kick in doors" and rescue children through the Black Flag Innocence Foundation.
• Hayley Thomas’s Story: From Navy K9 handler to the front lines of child protection.
• Practical Child Safety: Why "no sleepovers" is a rule you should consider and how to vet daycare providers effectively.
• Vigilance vs. Fear: How to stay alert without living in terror, grounded in the truth of Ephesians 6.
• A Call to Action: How you can support the high-cost "stings" and rescue operations that save lives.

Support the Mission:
https://bfi-foundation.org
https://waustingardner.com/

#ChildSafety #BlackFlagInternational #FollowedByMercy #AustinGardner #EndTrafficking #ParentingTips #FaithAndSafety

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In this vital conversation, Austin Gardner joins security experts Stephen Underwood and Haley Thomas to discuss the reality of child safety in today's world. This isn't just about "stranger danger"; it's about a pastoral commitment to the integrity of the home and the protection of the next generation.

The Reality of Vigilance:
Haley and Stephen pull back the curtain on the "backyard" reality—the hard truth that most harm happens within circles of trust. Drawing from 1 Peter 5:8, they frame child protection as a spiritual battle that requires us to be "sober and vigilant."

Practical Wisdom for Parents:

• The "No Sleepover" Rule: Why controlling the security parameters of your child's environment is an act of love, not restriction.
• Daycare Vetting: Crucial questions to ask about SOPs and staff background checks to ensure your "safe spaces" are truly safe.
• Living in Spite of Fear: How preparation and awareness allow families to live in freedom and grace rather than constant anxiety.

Austin’s Pastoral Note:
As a father, grandfather, and pastor with over 50 years of experience, Austin emphasizes that our role as leaders is to create safe harbors. God’s mercy follows us, and part of that mercy is the wisdom He gives us to protect the little ones He has placed in our care.

Resources:

• For more on grace and family restoration: waustingardner.com
• Connect with the mission: @waustingardner
• https://bfi-foundation.org

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In this episode, Austin Gardner sits down with Stephen Underwood and Haley Thomas to discuss the vital work of Black Flag International and the Black Flag Innocence Foundation. Haley shares her journey from 7.5 years in the Navy as a K9 handler in Bahrain and San Diego to her transition into the civilian sector through the SkillBridge program.

The Mission:
The conversation dives deep into the mission of the Black Flag Innocence Foundation: combating child trafficking. We explore how professional expertise in high-end security is being used to bring light into the darkest corners of the world.

The Spiritual Takeaway:
Beyond the tactics and the missions, this episode is a testimony to the fact that we are "followed by mercy." Whether in the heat of a deployment or the transition to a new career, God’s goodness and grace pursue us. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to perform to be loved; we are held by a Father who calls us to be His children first.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about the mission: waustingardner.com
• Support the Black Flag Innocence Foundation: https://bfi-foundation.org/about
• Follow Austin for more stories of grace: @waustingardner

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