Theology on Purpose

In this solo episode, Sarah reflects on an unexpected encounter with a few very determined seagulls, and how it reshaped her understanding of silence and attention in the spiritual life. What started as a noisy, ordinary moment became an invitation to release expectations and simply keep quiet company with God. This episode explores why silence can feel uncomfortable, what it reveals beneath the surface, and how it forms us in deeper trust. Along the way, you'll discover a new way to approach encountering God in the middle of everyday life. Join the Practicing Together community!

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah welcomes returning guest Jen Pollock Michel to explore the beauty and practicality of a "rule of life." In her explanation, a rule is a grace-filled framework for living with intention, rather than a rigid, spiritual to-do list. A rule helps you align your daily habits with love for God and neighbor right in the midst of your real, everyday life. Jen shares how spiritual formation is already happening all around us, often without our awareness, and how a thoughtful rule of life can help us resist those cultural currents. Jen also shared great insights about the role of desire, the importance of community, and how constraints can actually lead to greater freedom, and peace. In this episode, you'll learn how to: Reframe a "rule of life" as a flexible, life-giving practice rather than a rigid system Recognize the cultural forces already shaping your habits and desires Begin building spiritual practices that fit your current season and limitations Understand the role of desire in your spiritual formation (and how God reshapes it) Experience greater freedom by reducing decision fatigue and focusing on what matters most Lean into community as a vital part of sustaining your faith For shownotes, click here . To join the Practicing Together community on Substack, click here

Change rarely happens on our timetable. Whether a transition is welcomed or painful, the in-between can leave us feeling unsettled and disoriented. In this episode, Sarah reflects on a summer day when shifting winds unexpectedly changed her family's plans, and what that experience taught her about navigating seasons of transition. She shares three practices for finding our footing when life changes. If you're walking through a season of change, this episode offers encouragement to slow down, pay attention, and trust that God is present even in the uncomfortable middle. Ready to go deeper in your faith? Take the Connect with God quiz here

In this episode, Sarah talks with author Monika Kirkland about her book Ever With You and how prayer becomes a lifeline in the middle of busy, overwhelming seasons. In this episode, you'll hear: How exhaustion and anxiety became a turning point toward deeper dependence on God Three common barriers to prayer Why waiting seasons can cultivate deeper trust and intimacy with God The shift from chasing "mountaintop" moments to encountering God in everyday life The balance of praying boldly while surrendering outcomes to God How hustle culture impacts our spiritual lives, and why rest is an act of trust Simple, practical ways to begin abiding with God in prayer Get the show notes here Take the Connect with God quiz here

In this solo episode, I share a story from my teenage years that unexpectedly shaped how I think about faith, spiritual practices, and knowing God. What began as a reluctant cup of coffee became a metaphor for how our spiritual appetite develops over time—and how many of us settle for a limited experience of God without realizing there is more. Together, we explore what it means to "taste and see" for ourselves, how our formation influences our relationship with God, and why expanding our spiritual practices can deepen both our faith and our connection with others. Join the Practicing Together community here: https://sarahkbutterfield.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Sarah sits down with spiritual director and author Cindy S. Lee to explore a more expansive, embodied approach to knowing God. Drawing from her book Our Unforming, Cindy unpacks the difference between knowing about God and experiencing the sacred in everyday life, while gently challenging the Western assumptions that often shape our faith. Tune in to hear how awareness, humility, and simple spiritual practices can open us to deeper connection with God—and how the ongoing work of "unforming" helps us release what no longer serves us so we can grow in freedom, trust, and authenticity. In this episode, you'll gain: • A fresh, accessible starting point for engaging your faith • Insight into how Western culture has shaped your view of God • Permission to trust your experiences and desires in your spiritual life • A framework for letting go of limiting beliefs and practices • Practical encouragement to slow down and become more attentive to God Click here for the shownotes: https://sarahkbutterfield.substack.com/s/podcast Take the Connect with God quiz here: subscribepage.io/BtMXx4

This episode invites listeners to rethink what freedom in Christ is for: not self-focus or spiritual striving, but love. Through everyday examples and a gentle challenge, Sarah reflects on how our freedom is meant to be lived out in service to one another—and how even good things like spiritual practices can become burdens when they are disconnected from love. She also shares an invitation to go deeper through a new monthly practice-based community connected to her newsletter, offering space to grow, reflect, and pursue faith together. Check it out here , and if you join before August 9, 2026, get a 20% discount with this link .

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah talks with pastor and author Doug Basler about how fiction can become a powerful spiritual practice. Drawing from his book All Swirling and Weaving, Doug shares how stories can awaken our hearts, deepen our faith, and reshape how we see God and the world. In this episode, you'll learn: What the "Christian imagination" is and why it matters How fiction can form us in ways nonfiction sometimes can't A story about how a novel revealed hidden ambition in Doug's life How reading expands empathy and helps us love others well Practical ways to incorporate fiction into a busy life Whether you love reading or want to rediscover it, this conversation will inspire you to see stories as more than entertainment—they can be a means of spiritual growth.

We all live by stories—about who we are, who God is, and what it means to live a faithful life. But what if some of those stories aren't actually true? In this episode, we explore the subtle narratives that shape our identity and faith, how they can fail us, and what it looks like to realign our lives with what is actually true.

What if time with God felt less like a task to complete and more like a place of rest? In this conversation, Cara Ray invites us into the practice of "holy leisure"—a way of relating to God marked by delight, attentiveness, and peace rather than pressure and performance. Drawing on the themes of truth, goodness, and beauty, she shares how shifting our mindset can transform our spiritual rhythms and help us experience deeper joy in God's presence. Cara also introduces her simple DWELL framework for engaging Scripture and offers a vision of fruitfulness that isn't driven by productivity, but by abiding in Christ. Whether you're feeling spiritually dry, busy, or burdened, this episode will encourage you to rediscover time with God as a gift—not a checkbox. In this episode, you'll learn: What "holy leisure" means and why it matters How to move from duty to delight in your time with God A simple framework for slowing down and savoring Scripture How meditation fits into a vibrant spiritual life The difference between a productive life and a fruitful one Take the Connect with God quiz here Get the show notes here

In this solo episode of Theology on Purpose , I share how an unexpected interruption became an invitation to slow down and rediscover joy. In a season marked by full schedules and creeping productivity, I began to notice how difficult it had become to truly rest—and even harder to remember how to play. This episode explores the connection between spiritual formation and delight, and how practices like creativity, leisure, and embodied rest can draw us closer to Jesus. Through small, intentional changes, I found a renewed sense of freedom, spaciousness, and joy in my everyday life. You can too! Just listen in. Take the Connect with God quiz here

In this tender conversation, Lara D'Entremont, author of A Mother Held: Essays on Anxiety and Motherhood , shares her journey through postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and OCD, and how motherhood brought both deep love and deep vulnerability. We explore how anxiety can challenge our understanding of God's goodness and sovereignty, and what it looks like to rebuild trust in God when fear feels overwhelming. Lara offers a compassionate vision of God as one who draws near to us in our suffering with tenderness and care. This episode is an invitation to practice "theology from the floor"—coming to God in the middle of exhaustion, doubt, and uncertainty, and learning to receive God's grace right there. In this episode, you'll hear: How motherhood can magnify anxiety and our sense of lack of control Lara's experience with postpartum anxiety, OCD, and intrusive thoughts Wrestling with God's sovereignty and goodness in seasons of fear What it looks like to bring honest questions to God Engaging faith in the midst of real life Simple spiritual practices for anxious and weary seasons Reframing God's character as compassionate, not condemning The role of community, therapy, and honest conversation in healing Get the show notes here Take the Connect with God quiz here

What begins as an ordinary evening at a writers conference becomes a meaningful moment of reflection. In this solo episode, I share how encountering my younger self in memory revealed a deeper truth about spiritual growth: that the life of faith isn't a straight line, but a slow circling toward the heart of God. This is a story about anxiety, belonging, and the quiet, persistent grace that forms us over time. Take the Connect with God quiz here

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah talks with Elizabeth Berget, author of Love Like a Mother, about how the sacred, everyday work of motherhood can reveal the heart of God. Together, they explore how Scripture holds both paternal and maternal imagery for God—inviting us into a richer, more expansive understanding of who He is and how He meets us in our daily lives. Elizabeth shares how seeing God through a maternal lens transformed her own faith, especially in the demanding early years of motherhood, reframing ordinary moments as meaningful encounters with God's presence. In this episode, you'll hear: How maternal imagery for God is rooted in Scripture Why seeing God as both Father and Mother deepens our theology How motherhood can be a context for spiritual formation—not a barrier Encouragement for releasing guilt around spiritual disciplines in busy seasons What foster and adoptive motherhood reveal about God's love and attachment A fresh perspective on interruptions as invitations to encounter God Get the show notes here Take the Connect with God quiz here

Sometimes the plans we build so carefully unravel in an instant, leaving us holding disappointment we didn't see coming. In this episode, I share a personal story of unexpected change and reflect on Mark 2, where Jesus responds in a way no one anticipated. Tune in as we consider what it looks like to trust God in the middle of unmet expectations and to believe He is at work in ways that are deeper (and better!) than we can see.

Kate Boyd joins Theology on Purpose to talk about her book An Untidy Faith and the real-life experiences that reshaped how she understands God, church, and discipleship. Drawing from her global travels and seasons of questioning, Kate shares how faith can be stretched without being lost—and how disentangling what we've been taught can lead to a deeper, more integrated life with God. In this episode, we explore the tension between certainty and curiosity, and what it looks like to hold onto Jesus while reexamining long-held beliefs. Kate offers a hopeful vision for those navigating doubt, deconstruction, or spiritual transition, reminding us that this work—though often painful—is also deeply formational. In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between doubling down, demolishing, and disentangling your faith How to navigate seasons of doubt without walking away from God Why humility, curiosity, and empathy are essential for a mature faith How spiritual practices can evolve in seasons of questioning A healthier, more relational approach to evangelism How to rediscover joy and authenticity in your walk with Jesus Get the show notes here Take the Connect with God Quiz here

Easter Sunday changes everything, but what does that actually look like on an ordinary Monday? In this solo episode, I'm talking about what it means to live as "resurrection people" in the tension between hope and brokenness. Tune in, and let's reflect on how God's presence and power are at work in our everyday lives, inviting us to carry the light of the resurrection into everything we do.

In this episode of Theology on Purpose, Sarah talks with author and teacher Cally Logan about moving from the margins to meaningful impact in God's kingdom. They explore how traits like being "quiet" or "shy" aren't weaknesses to overcome, but invitations to discover how God uniquely designed us to live with purpose. Cally shares personal stories and practical wisdom on finding confidence in Christ, and using your voice, no matter how small it may feel. In this episode, you'll learn: How to reframe labels like "shy" and "quiet" as strengths, not limitations What true confidence in Christ looks like (beyond personality or performance) How to recognize and challenge your "inner bully" Practical ways to take thoughts captive and root your identity in God's truth Why your presence and words matter more than you think How God can use you right where you are, even if you feel unseen Find the show notes here : https://sarahkbutterfield.substack.com/s/podcast Take the Connect with God Quiz here : https://connectwithgodquiz.com/

Why do we feel such a strong reaction when something unfair happens, even something small? That instinct for justice may actually point us to the heart of God. In this solo episode of Theology on Purpose , I explore what the Bible really means by justice. Looking at passages from Amos, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John, we'll discover that God's justice isn't only about punishment—it's about restoration, renewal, and bringing life to broken places. And through the Spirit, God invites us to participate in that work right where we are! Take the Connect with God quiz here : https://connectwithgodquiz.com/

In this episode, Sarah sits down with pastor and author Brian Zahnd for a thoughtful conversation about doubt, discipleship, and the meaning of the cross. In this episode, we discuss: The difference between demolishing faith and renovating it Why honest doubt can lead to deeper, more resilient faith Why Jesus—not the Bible—is the perfect revelation of God How we think about the meaning of the cross affects our relationship with God and with others. What it means to shoulder our cross, and not our rifle, in today's culture A preview of his upcoming book Unseen Existences Tune in and be inspired to grow into a Christ-centered faith marked by humility, courage, and self-giving love. Get the show notes here Take the Connect with God quiz here