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This week on Sacred & Strange, Jay sits down with Joe Johnson—the family court judge who looks like Santa Claus and talks like a man who has actually wrestled with God. From the bench to the Bible, Joe pulls back the curtain on what justice really looks like when you’re dealing with real families, real failures, and real heartbreak.

He opens up about the loss of his brother, the guilt that nearly crushed him, and the shocking way God broke through the grief. Joe talks spiritual warfare, Holy Spirit nudges, prophetic dreams, and even the exorcism he’ll never forget. But he also talks about compassion in the courtroom, why mercy is not weakness, and why following Jesus means choosing responsibility over excuses.

It’s raw. It’s honest. It’s surprisingly funny. And it’s a conversation that will leave you rethinking justice, grief, calling—and maybe even Santa Claus.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:34 Joe Johnson's Background and Career

03:14 Journey into Family Law

10:04 Faith and Professional Life

19:52 Personal Loss and Faith Rediscovery

33:22 Ecumenical Work and Alpha Program

36:47 Questioning Faith and Catholicism

37:10 Understanding Sainthood and Idolatry

38:15 Reverence in Catholicism vs. Charismatic Churches

39:02 Evangelism and Denominational Differences

40:22 Dreams and Divine Conversations

42:21 Writing and Sharing Personal Faith

47:53 Exorcism Experience

54:26 Understanding Evil and Blame

59:41 Relationship with the Holy Spirit

01:06:43 Books and Christmas Message

01:09:10 Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts

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