Forge Podcast: Conversations for the Journey

Running Back to God – A Conversation with Chad (Audio)

What happens when God removes your last excuse—and meets you with peace instead of punishment? In this conversation from the Men’s Retreat, Joe sits down with Chad, who describes coming up the mountain after years of busyness, resistance, and quiet running. Chad shares how a first night message on passivity exposed patterns he had lived in, and how God met him in a moment of fear and weakness with calm, clarity, and rest. We talk about rebellion and the story of Jonah, the way God pursues us when we try to go the other direction, and how surrender becomes visible over time—in worship, in community, and in the courage to speak up. Chad also reflects on the steady, faithful influence of a father-in-law, the restoration of family relationships, and the joy of now serving other men. Jesus doesn’t stop chasing hearts. If you’ve been running, numb, or stuck in old patterns, you’re not too far—there’s an invitation to come back, surrender, and let God use your story.

Going Deeper in the Dark – A Conversation with James (Audio)

What if the place you fear most—the unknown, the “belly,” the darkness—isn’t punishment, but rescue? Right after stepping off stage at the Men’s Retreat, James sits down with Joe to talk through what God is doing beneath the surface. James shares the anxious build-up before teaching, the moment worship “broke it open,” and the relief of realizing God can use our stories—especially the ones we’d rather not revisit—for His glory. We talk about why men crave control and convenience, how we manufacture drama just to feel alive, and why the “unknown” feels like bad news even when it’s where God is doing His deepest work. James unpacks the Jonah story with honesty and imagination, connecting the belly to spiritual formation, surrender, and the difference between conviction and condemnation. God isn’t waiting for you to clean it up first. If you’ve been resisting obedience, numbing out, or stuck in a loop you can’t name, this conversation invites you to notice what’s happening in your soul—and let Jesus meet you there.

Running, Mercy, and Honest Community – A Conversation with Aaron (Audio)

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to run—especially when God invites you into something you don’t want to face? Joe sits down with Aaron right after night one of a men’s retreat, reflecting on Jonah 1 and the deeper ache beneath Jonah’s silence. They explore what might have offended Jonah so deeply, why he refuses to talk to God, and how fear, anger, shame, and pride can push a person into isolation. We talk about God’s mercy that won’t let us stay stuck, the way sin quietly escalates, and the gift of community—men who can put an arm around you and help you tell the truth. Aaron also shares vulnerably about marriage as a place of healing, and how spoken encouragement can breathe life into the places shame tries to bury. God’s kindness isn’t a threat—it’s an invitation. If you’ve been running, shutting down, or carrying something alone, you don’t have to stay there. Step into the light, and let grace meet you with people who will walk with you.

Going "Into the Deep" - Deep Mercy with Jason Belcher- Men's Retreat Session 4

What if your need for mercy is deeper than you think—and what if God’s mercy runs deeper still? In this final teaching from Scottsdale Bible Church’s Men’s Retreat in Williams, Arizona, Jason brings us into Jonah 4—the chapter that exposes not Nineveh’s rebellion, but Jonah’s heart. The surprising twist is that Jonah isn’t furious at wickedness; he’s furious at mercy. And that confronts something many of us would rather ignore: how easily religious comfort can prefer justice for others and grace for ourselves. We talk about the river of mercy in Ezekiel’s vision, the danger of an outwardly “right” theology with an inwardly hardened heart, and the ways God sometimes “kills the plant” to rescue us from what we’re clinging to. Jason connects Jonah’s unresolved question to the cross—where justice and mercy finally meet without compromise. God’s mercy is not shallow sentiment. If you’ve been waking up this weekend—seeing your own heart more clearly—there’s an invitation here to come to Jesus honestly, stay in community, and receive again the mercy that heals what rebellion can’t.

Going "Into the Deep" - Deep Repentance with Mike Terlizzi- Men's Retreat Session 3

What would change if “God’s will” stopped being a phrase you recite—and became a life you actually surrendered? From the mountain at Scottsdale Bible Church’s Men’s Retreat in Williams, Arizona, Mike takes us into Jonah 3 and invites us to see repentance as more than words. Nineveh hears a simple warning, but what follows is a city-wide turning—humility, confession, action, and a desperate hope for mercy. We talk about the difference between knowing and believing, confession and repentance, and why reconciliation sits at the center of God’s story from beginning to end. Mike also shares how one courageous gospel conversation became his “Jonah”—and how obedience from a coworker changed everything. God’s love runs deeper than our sin. If you’ve been half-in and half-out, stuck in shame, or carrying hidden chains, there’s an invitation here: surrender your will, turn toward Jesus, and step back into the freedom He actually offers.