Followed By Mercy

Send us Fan Mail

In this "unplugged" episode, Austin Gardner invites you into his home during a quiet Easter break to discuss the heart of the New Covenant. If you’ve felt like you’re clocking in as an employee rather than resting as a child, this episode is your permission to stop the striving. From the "City of Refuge" to becoming "partakers of the divine nature," discover why your identity is a gift to be worn, not a goal to be reached.

Check out waustingardner.com 

Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Send us Fan Mail

Names reveal nature, purpose, and function. Today, Austin Gardner explores the six cities of refuge to show that they aren't just geography—they are a promise. From "Shechem" (the shoulder that carries your burden) to "Golan" (the place where the outsider becomes family), see the Gospel in a whole new light.

Pre-order/Launch Info: "DNA of Grace" officially drops April 3rd!

Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Send us Fan Mail

In the Hebrew language, names are never random. They reveal nature, purpose, and function. Today, Austin Gardner invites you to "flee for refuge" as we explore the six ancient cities established in Israel.

If you’ve been walking through life feeling like a "Mara" (bitterness), it’s time to discover the identity God has set apart for you. Austin walks through the Hebrew roots of the Cities of Refuge to show how God provides a holy place where burdens are lifted, unions are restored, and outsiders become family.

Key Scriptures: Hebrews 6:18, Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 53, John 10:28.

A Word for the Weary:
These cities weren't just for Israel; they were for the stranger too. They were always accessible, with wide roads and signs pointing the way. If you feel far off today, this episode is your signpost.

Visit the Hub: waustingardner.com for more on the DNA of Grace book launch.

Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Send us Fan Mail

Are you a prisoner of your circumstances or a prisoner of Jesus Christ? In this study of Ephesians 4:1-6, W. Austin Gardner explores the "Therefore" of the Christian life. Learn why "walking worthy" isn't about earning your salvation, but living out the identity God has already given you. Discover how to protect biblical unity, trade insecurity for humility, and stop playing the victim card. It’s time to act like who you are: a child of the King.

Detailed Content Breakdown & Show Notes

The Big Idea:
Your identity comes before your behavior. Grace doesn't lower the standard; it raises it by giving you a new nature to live from.

Key Highlights:

• Don't Be a Victim: Paul didn't call himself a prisoner of Rome; he was a prisoner of the Lord. Stop being a prisoner of your past, your health, or your age.
• The "Therefore" Pivot: Chapters 1-3 are what God did for you. Chapters 4-6 are how you live because of it.
• The Marriage Reality: A bride doesn't hope she'll be married someday; she wakes up with a new name and a new life. We don't create unity; we protect the unity Christ already bought.
• Strength Under Control: True meekness isn't weakness—it’s "strength at rest," like a powerful horse yielding to its King.
• The Seven Ones: Why the "Seven Ones" (One Body, Spirit, Hope, Lord, Faith, Baptism, and God) make it impossible for us to remain divided.

Scripture Reference:
Ephesians 4:1-6

Call to Action 

Want to dive deeper into living out your faith?
Visit the hub for more resources on leadership, ministry, and grace-filled living:
👉 waustingardner.com

Join the Conversation:
If you’re ready to stop asking if you’re "enough" and start asking what God has declared you to be, leave a comment below!

Tags 

Austin Gardner, Ephesians 4, Walk Worthy, Identity in Christ, Biblical Unity, Grace vs Works, Christian Mentorship, Prisoner of Christ, Overcoming Victim Mentality, Bible Study.

Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Send us Fan Mail

What do you do when the doctor uses the word "palliative" and your nights are filled with panic instead of peace? For W. Austin Gardner, the answer wasn't found in a performance-based religion, but in the first two words of a familiar Psalm.

In this moving and transparent session, Austin recounts his harrowing journey through Stage 4 cancer and a 21-day battle on a COVID ventilator. He reveals how the Lord replaced his "panic attacks with presence" by deconstructing the caricature of God many of us grew up with.

In this episode, Austin explores:

• The "Referee" vs. The Father: Why we often view God as a distant judge or a criticizer waiting for us to fail, and how that view keeps us in a state of spiritual groveling.
• The "I AM" in the Cave: A look at David’s life at 65—hiding in a cave, running from his own son, and dealing with a history of failure—yet starting his prayer with "The Lord is my shepherd" without an apology.
• The "Long-Nosed" God: A fascinating Hebrew breakdown of Exodus 34. Austin explains why God calls Himself "long-nosed" (long-suffering) and how He breathes slowly and patiently with us when we mess up.
• The Abba Shift: Moving from the "Sovereign Almighty" of the Old Testament to the "Daddy" (Abba) relationship Jesus invited us into.
• John 17:23 – The Ultimate Truth: The mind-blowing reality that God the Father loves you with the exact same intensity and affection that He loves Jesus.
• The "Indulgent" Grandpappa: A witty look at how God, like a grandfather with a bowl of M&Ms, actually likes being good to His children.

The Takeaway: You don’t have to "measure up" to be loved. Whether you're in a hospital bed or a cave of your own making, your Father isn't just watching you—He’s with you, He's patient, and He's the "lifter of your head."

Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when your best friends stage an intervention at a Shoney’s to tell you that you’re being too mean to your fiancée? For W. Austin Gardner, that conversation 52 years ago was the start of a lifetime spent learning that "man-ing up" has everything to do with tenderness and nothing to do with toughness.

In this candid and soul-stirring session, Austin pulls back the curtain on his 52-year marriage to Betty, his ongoing battle with stage four cancer, and the hard-won wisdom of raising a family in the spotlight of ministry.

In this detailed episode, you will explore:

• The Shoney’s "Cry" Incident: The hilarious but humbling story of how Austin learned to stop treating his wife like a "project" and started treating her like a companion.
• The MRI of the Law vs. The Mercy Seat: Austin uses his own medical journey—the cold, loud 45-minute scans—to explain the Bible. The Law is the scan that identifies the "cancer" of sin, but only Grace can heal it. Discover why God doesn't speak to you from the "law book," but from the Mercy Seat.
• Love is Sacrifice, Not a Scorecard: Why keeping receipts in a marriage is the quickest way to kill intimacy. Austin breaks down why the strongest marriages are built on faithfulness, not "fairness."
• The "Johnson Grass" of Bitterness: A lesson from a Tennessee cornfield on why you can’t just "mow down" your anger—you have to pull it up by the roots and let the sun of God’s grace bake it.
• Raising Kids in Ministry (The 1-2-3-4 Rule): Austin shares his non-negotiable priority list for staying sane in leadership: 1. God, 2. Wife, 3. Kids, 4. The Church. Learn how he raised four children who still love the Lord and the local church today.
• The Lifter of Your Head: A moving reflection on Psalm 3:3. When life (or sin) makes you want to hang your head in shame, learn how God reaches under your chin to look you "eye-to-eye and cheek-to-cheek."
• Legacy & Mortality: Facing a "terminal" diagnosis with a witty heart, Austin reflects on the only thing that matters in the end: Will he be remembered as a "grumpy old man" or a "tender-hearted daddy"?

Key Verse: "But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." (Psalm 3:3)

The Takeaway: You are a "walking house of Jesus." Your life is the primary place where the world sees how God loves His people. Stop making excuses, pull up the bitterness, and start chasing your spouse like Christ chased you.

waustingardner.com

Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Send us Fan Mail

Description:
Most people think a good marriage is about being "fair," but Austin Gardner says fairness is the enemy of a great one. After 52 years of marriage, four kids, and a lifetime of ministry, Austin shares why the best marriages don’t keep receipts. In this episode, he breaks down why love is a sacrifice (not a scorecard), why you should always make the first move, and how to pull up bitterness by the roots before it kills the sweetness. It’s raw, it’s funny, and it’s a roadmap for moving from being "roommates" to true covenant partners.

waustingardner.com

Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Send us Fan Mail

In today’s episode of Followed by Mercy, Austin Gardner explores the profound mystery of Ephesians 4:20: "But ye have not so learned Christ."

Most of us have learned doctrine, behavior, and religion, but have we "learned Christ"? Austin challenges the idea that we are "generators" of our own spiritual power. Instead, he invites us to see ourselves as vessels. Religion says, "Become like Christ." The Gospel says, "Christ is already your life. Discover Him."

Using the beautiful analogy of his 52-year marriage to his wife, Betty, Austin illustrates that knowing Jesus isn't about reading a book about Him—it's about the quiet, constant awareness of His presence.

If you are heavy-laden with the effort of "trying to be a good Christian," this episode is your invitation to rest.

Key Takeaways:

• Learning Christ is experiential, not just intellectual.
• Transformation happens when your mind catches up to the reality of your spirit.
• We don't live for God; we live from the God who lives in us.

Find more resources on grace and rest at waustingardner.com.

Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Send us Fan Mail

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."

In this episode, Austin Gardner explores the often-forgotten practice of speaking biblical blessings. Whether you are a parent tucking your children in at night, a leader heading into a boardroom, or a spouse looking to strengthen your marriage, your words have the ability to create environments of growth or fear. Austin shares how to use Scripture to speak identity and destiny into the lives of those around you.

Key Takeaways:

• The historical significance of the pastoral benediction.
• Why simple words like "I believe in you" carry spiritual weight.
• Practical ways to start blessing people today.
• Main Website (Essential Links): waustingardner.com
• Primary Pillar Article: The Big Leap of Faith: Believing God Loves You Exactly As You Are

• Daily Podcast: The Austin Gardner Podcast (where the "Prayer is a Relationship" episode will live)
• Followed By Mercy (Newsletter): followedbymercy.beehiiv.com
• Substack: waustingardner.substack.com
• YouTube Channel: W. Austin Gardner on YouTube
• X (Twitter): @waustingardner

• Alignment Ministries: alignmentministries.com
• Sociedad de Mentores: sociedaddementores.com

Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Send us Fan Mail

"Grace without truth lead to compromise. Truth without grace leads to harshness."

Today, Austin Gardner dives into one of the biggest tensions in ministry: the fear that grace makes us weak on sin. Austin shares personal stories and biblical insights on why blessing is actually the key to transformation. If you've ever felt like the church was more interested in punishing you than restoring you, this episode will provide a refreshing, gospel-centered perspective on how God actually views your struggles.

What you’ll hear:

• The difference between religious rebukes and Jesus’ approach.
• Why "restoration" is a medical term for mending what is broken.
• How to speak blessings even in the middle of correction.

Thanks for listening. Find us on YouTube, Substack, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.