Intersection With Rose Zacharias Meeder

It's funny how sometimes we discover God through the most serendipitous circumstances. Julian was just going about his business when he was working his daytime job at the local theater. Meanwhile a local church was just going about its business at the local theater too. As he watched the church setting up week in and week out it was no wonder that he would lean in every once in a while to find out what these people were all about. What he discovered has renewed his life and passion for God and the local church and given him that all-important sense of belonging which has given him a new lease on life. Find out how it all happened when I talk to Julian in episode 23. I think it will inspire you to know that sometimes it's not the messages or the music at church which initially catch people's attention.

Life can be a drag, and for Justin - he was dragged right down to the bottom. And when he wasn't even looking for God in his life of substance abuse and drug trips, God literally rescued him from the depths of that experience. And while it wasn't smooth sailing the whole way out of that life, God has brought Justin to a new life in Him. Now a committed Christian following Jesus passionately, his life is better than he could ever have imagined. I think this episode will inspire you, or you give you hope, that no matter how far away from God you are, God wants to rescue you.

In this episode I have a really frank and honest discussion with James Shelley - a former pastor who grew up in a Christian home. James started questioning basic tenets of the Christian faith as a teenager and always had doubts even as he pursued a career in the ministry. But the doubts eventually led to a belief that proving God, our really any faith system for that matter, was impossible. We talk about the inner conflict that this caused for James and how he has come to terms with it. Could you have an open conversation with someone who has walked away from the faith you hold so dear?

Sometimes you just never know when a good conversation is gonna happen. The other day just a mundane treadmill workout at the local gym led to a deep  conversation with my friend who was running on the treadmill next to me. As she started sharing her thoughts on God we stumbled on some deep thoughts about how we view God, how He speaks to us, and how relevant He is on a day to day level. I thought I had some great ideas here for my next podcast episode and asked Ines to record our conversation the next week. But as we started recording, we stumbled on even deeper ideas as Ines shared about some really traumatic experiences she had as a teenager and how she carries those burdens as something given to her by God to bear...... wow, what a conversation we end up having. I invite you to listen in - episode 20, where real life and faith collide.

Welcome to Episode 19 of Intersection. Today I sit down for a coffee chat with my good friend (and neighbour!) Mike Shard. I respect Mike so much for his intelligent mind and unique kindness. I also love how he is so willing to dialogue about faith and spirituality and dive into those "deeper" questions. With his career experience as both  lawyer and police officer, he is well-positioned to offer thoughtful insight into understanding conflict and the human condition and how it all relates to our search for happiness and meaning in life. Although Mike doesn't like to label himself, he says his faith position falls somewhere between atheism and agnosticism.  I think this episode is just another example of how when two people of different faith perspectives open up and speak honestly, without judgement, some amazing things can happen.  This episode will challenge and better equip you to have these types of conversations yourself.  Enjoy!

We all know we will die someday, but for most of us it seems so distant. Until one day you are in your doctor's office and you get the diagnosis. Some of those conversations lead to hope and a will to fight, but others offer no hope for recovery. What would you do if you know the end was so close? In this episode meet Anne, who  finds herself face to face with a terminal diagnosis - but she does have a hope which for some of us may be hard to imagine. I hope this episode causes you to reflect on your own mortality and the one who gives us life here on earth, but also for all of eternity.

Sometimes life can take such dramatic turns. It's helpful to look back then and see the twisting and turning path you were just on. Julie's life was on such a path - the tragic circumstance of how she lost her fiancé and then met her husband Marty, and in the process discovering that she was no longer in charge of her life - God was. Marty and Julie's story will leave you amazed how God can show up at times and in ways we least expect when we search for answers to some of life's deepest questions.

Sometimes I hear someone's story and I am astounded how people can possibly come out of those circumstances. Diane went through a period of profound loss and grief, it seems like everything was taken from her. But in the process she rediscovers God - a personal God. And even in that time of terrible loss, she finds the courage to give to others a gift of life. Diane's story brought tears of sadness and joy at the same time, and I pray it will encourage you to look beyond yourself  - just like Diane did.

It must be hard to be a Christian in the business world - balancing your own ethics against those of our culture. It must be even more difficult when that business is a charity. In this episode you will meet Neil Hetherington. Neil is a Christian who made a career change from the real estate industry to the board rooms of some of the best known charities in our country - including Habitat for Humanity and Dixon-Hall. Neil has always been guided by the notion of "heart to God, hand to man" and discusses candidly, with honesty and vulnerability, the ups and downs of living this statement to its full potential. See how his faith intersects with the real world of business.

All your life you dream of meeting someone with whom you want to start a family. Meet Navin and Christy,a wonderful Christian couple, who wanted to have children but couldn't. So when they finally decided to adopt a child - it should have all worked out. Right? Not quite. In this episode of Intersection you'll hear about their incredible joy followed by heart-wrenching loss. Navin and Christy share openly and honestly about some hard questions they asked themselves and God. And you'll be encouraged by how they came through this dramatic chapter in their lives.

How do you respond to indescribable loss? Or cope, when you feel like God has taken one of your most prized possessions from you. In this episode I interview Sharon Kelsall. Sharon talks about how her and her family's life turned upside down one December night when she received that phone call which every parent dreads. Anger, rejection, isolation would all have been understandable reactions. Instead she describes something completely different and comes to embrace that peace that "passes all understanding".

Welcome to episode 12 of Intersection! Today I sit down with Canadian Olympic marathon runner Krista Duchene. She returned a few months ago from the Rio games where she ran an incredible marathon in the searing heat. But Krista is not just a runner, she's a mom and wife, and she's a Christian. In this episode Krista describes her journey to the Olympics and all the training and discipline that requires, and the absolute joy and accomplishment of crossing the finish line in Rio and how, in the end, nothing compares to the life she has found in Christ. What a perspective. I'm certain you will love this episode whether you are a runner or just appreciate the Olympic athletes as a spectator. 

This episode of Intersection is a little different. Normally we can relate to the people I interview since they are usually from Canada and often live lives similar to ours. But today I interview Josephine a young woman from Uganda who has been through hardship that some of us can't even imagine - living in the face of fear day in and day out. Yet she leans heavily on God, whom she credits for her perseverance and for bringing her to her current place in life where she assists International Justice Mission (ijm.org) in bringing justice to some of the darkest places in the world. I also speak with IJM's Mark Wollenberg about this incredible organization.

This episode is a bonus podcast episode with country music star Dani Strong. In episode 10 I talked to Dani about her personal journey of faith - how she came to be a Christian. Dani just released her first album two weeks ago, debuting at #1 on iTunes. In this episode I talk with her about what it has been like being a Christian in the music industry. How does a career in music and entertainment intersect with faith? I wanted to know! Listen in on another exciting conversation with Dani Strong.

What an opportunity to hear the real-life faith story of Dani Strong. I love how Dani shares her story with such enthusiasm: how she grew up knowing about God and then experiencing Him for real as a young woman. And now she is an amazing country music artist who's just released her first album: Time To Breathe. It was great to chat with Dani about her faith and to hear her share one of her awesome songs, unplugged, in my living room. Listen to the end!

Episode 9 of Intersection with Rose Zacharias Meeder introduces Toni Nieuwhof who describes coming to faith and a personal struggle with depression, anxiety, insomnia and marital struggle. She describes being angry at God and then reclaiming His love for her. This episode should provide hope and encouragement for anyone who finds that in the busyness of life, depression can quickly gain a foothold, and relationships can fall apart. It's in times like these that we need to rely on all of our resources - friends, friendship, counselling, medication, and of course God and his redemptive power - to help see us through to the other side.

My interview with Julie is an honest conversation about life taking a very difficult turn and yet choosing to walk in the pain of it.  Julie shares about her challenging journey and choosing to surrender the outcome to God.  

Marissa and Ann continue their no holds barred approach in part 2 of our candid interview on Marissa's transgendered journey  

This week Rose has an intimate and no holds barred conversation with one couple's transgendered journey.    

This week Rose interviews Sue, focusing on her thoughts on spiritual nudges and an experience of Christian judgement & exclusivity.