Maybe God

Since 2014, the number of migrants crossing the border has skyrocketed, leading to the highly politicized border crisis we've seen in the news. In debates like this one, we're so quick to point out who the villains are and what the solutions are that we forget to answer the most important questions: Where is God in this crisis? What does He want us to learn from it? What does He want us to do about it? On this episode, the Maybe God team travels to El Paso to search for God's voice in voices the asylum-seekers and their allies. *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

Maybe God host and Story Houston pastor Eric Huffman tackles some of the biggest questions and doubts we have about prayer: Why do so many of our prayers appear to go unanswered? And why does it so often take so long for Him to act?

Even as our culture grows more cynical toward monogamy and marriage, the overwhelming majority of young Americans still hope to find The One and get hitched. Deep down, we still believe in life-altering, breathtaking, rapturous love. But what if the love we're searching for isn't the kind of love we really need? On this episode, a young woman shares the story of how one man's love changed her life forever in the most unexpected way. Their love story left us wondering if we've lost the plot when it comes to dating and relationships. What if the love we need isn't necessarily romantic or sexual? Maybe there is something better than mere marriage for singles in search of love. *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

Most of us grew up being told that one day we'll find The One, get married, have babies, and grow old together. It's a formula that seems to have served past generations well, so as we came of age, the search was on. And we liked our chances because, thanks to dating apps like Tinder, we have more options at our fingertips than any generation before us. Still, fewer young adults than ever are walking the aisle, and for the first time in America's history, single adults outnumber married ones. On this episode, we explore the wild world of online dating, which empowers singles to accept or reject hundreds of potential mates an hour without ever really seeing them, and we ask the question: with all these choices, why aren't more people finding The One? Featured guests include Gossip Girl actress Zuzanna Szadkowski and world-famous psychologist Barry Schwartz.

To mark the one-year anniversary of Casey Smith's death, Eric Huffman reminds us what this heartbreaking story teaches us about God, family, and the importance of saying "I love you" and walking with your brother. Listen to Maybe God's most-downloaded episode from season one. Watch Maybe God interviews: youtube.com/maybegodpodcast Sign up for our weekly newsletter with exclusive content: www.maybegodpod.com Follow Maybe God on Instagram and Facebook: @maybegodpod

**This episode contains content that may not be suitable for young audiences.** As the United Methodist Church stands at an impasse in the decades-old debate over the marriage and ordination of LGBTQ people, a split appears unavoidable. Conservatives accuse liberals of disrespecting the Bible; liberals suggest conservatives are on par with slave-owners and misogynists. At times like this, maybe we don't need better arguments or stronger doctrine; maybe we need more stories. On this episode, former anti-Christian gay activist David Bennett, author of A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Following Jesus, shares the shocking story of his conversion to Christianity. Maybe God host Eric Huffman reveals, for the first time, his views on homosexuality and the Bible. Also, the remarkable story of a member of The Story Houston that producers didn't see coming. Watch Maybe God interviews: youtube.com/maybegodpodcast Sign up for our weekly newsletter with exclusive content: www.maybegodpod.com Follow Maybe God on Instagram and Facebook: @maybegodpod

LGBTQ rights have taken center stage in the struggle over the future of America's second-largest Protestant denomination. Heading into this month's Special Session of the General Conference to vote on the marriage and ordination of queer people, conservative and liberal United Methodists have reached a stalemate. Can unity prevail, or is it time, after 40 years of debate, to split up? On this episode, Maybe God host and pastor Eric Huffman sits down with some of the key players on all sides of the debate, including the church's first openly-gay, married bishop, Karen Oliveto, the founder of the largest United Methodist church in the world, Rev. Adam Hamilton, and a leader of the conservative side, Rev. Rob Renfroe. *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

What is a miracle? Is it simply an answered prayer? A supernatural phenomenon? Or is there another way to understand the miraculous in our midst? Maybe God host Eric Huffman explores these questions with two women who both say they witnessed a miracle, even though their "miracle stories" had very different outcomes. One of these women is rising Nashville star Alisa Turner. Hear how her story inspired her new hit song, Miracles. MUSIC CREDITS: "My Prayer For You" & "Miracles" From the Integrity Music release, Miracle Or Not featuring Alisa Turner All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Do you value happiness above joy? Are you stuck in a season that's left you feeling ungrateful? On this minisode, Maybe God host and Story Houston pastor Eric Huffman reveals the power of chasing joy over happiness. The message he delivers to a room full of Houstonians during the busy holiday season applies to every one of us, any time of year.

When it comes to God, the Bible, and the supernatural, we've all got more questions than answers. So why do Christians ask so few questions, and why do many skeptics feel judged for having doubts? This line of thinking is what inspired Maybe God host and pastor Eric Huffman to write his first book, "40 Days of Doubt: Devotions for the Skeptic," which will be released tomorrow, December 4. For this special episode, Eric invited his friend and The Story Houston member Sarah Bolton into the studio to discuss how "40 Days of Doubt" came to be, and how his favorite Maybe God episodes helped him dig deeper into the issues he addresses in the book. *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

Evolution is real and creation is a myth, or so we've been told. But how can we be sure? Most of us haven't examined the evidence; we trust the experts to bring the truth down from the mountaintop of scientific knowledge. In this Maybe God Live episode, Dr. James Tour, a world-renowned organic chemist, shares the reasons why he puts his professional reputation on the line by rejecting Darwinian theory as the explanation for life as we know it.

How do you forgive someone who doesn't feel sorry - especially when they're no longer in your life? Deana's father abandoned her at a young age, and the pain and resentment in her heart led her down some dark paths. She knows she needs to forgive him - but how? On this Maybe God mini-sode, Eric and Deana sit down for a raw and intimate one-on-one conversation about forgiving someone who doesn't deserve it.

What do you do when life knocks you flat on your back and - whether it's because of your bad luck or your bad choices or both - you start to wonder if you'll ever get on your feet again? We intended for this to be part two of our Hurricane Harvey anniversary episode; we wanted to focus on people who found a way to stand tall again after that storm knocked them down. But as people shared their Harvey stories with us, they inevitably told us other stories about other times in their lives that they were flat on their backs, powerless, with no hope. On this episode, we feature Astros President Reid Ryan, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, a few of Houston's homeless, and a young woman whose life was nearly derailed by drug addiction. *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

Exactly one year ago, Houston, Texas experienced a flood of Biblical proportions. As much as 60 inches of rain fell in some areas - 19 trillion gallons of water that caused over $100 Billion in property damages and sent 40,000 people to emergency shelters. 13,000 Houstonians had to be rescued by boats and helicopters. As the waters of Hurricane Harvey receded, we wondered how this could happen. If God is real, and He cares for us, where was He when our city was drowning? On this episode, we'll explore this question with some heroes who came to our rescue (the LA Cajun Navy), and some now world-famous survivors (both humans and farm animals). *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

On the last two episodes of Maybe God, we were introduced to a supernatural, spiritual world, through the eyes of three people who had near-death experiences. But some people don't have to die and come back to life to experience the other side. Jonas Elrod, whose story has been featured by Oprah Winfrey, claims to experience both the physical and spiritual worlds on a daily basis. From his experience, he's determined one key truth we're all missing when we focus on the material world.

What is hell, and why would a loving God send people there forever? In part two of this episode, Maybe God host Eric Huffman continues his conversation with Imagine Heaven author John Burke, who insists that the God of the Bible isn't who most people believe Him to be. We also reveal the dramatic conclusion to Howard Storm's harrowing descent into hell, and introduce you to Crystal McVea, a sexual abuse victim who believed God could never love her...until the day she died and met Him, face to face. *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

We all know that death is a fact of life, but is it the end of life? When your heart and brain cease to function...do you? In part one of this series, Maybe God host Eric Huffman talks to pastor and New York Times best-selling author John Burke about his 30-year journey studying over a thousand near-death claims, people from all different countries and religions who say they've "crossed over" and met God. We'll also introduce you to Jeffrey Olsen and Howard Storm, two men who say they experienced the afterlife, in one case, hell. *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

Is doubt the end of faith in God? In part one, Maybe God followed host Eric Huffman's journey from the certainty of Bible Belt religion to the moment in college when he began to reject his Christian beliefs. More than a decade later, he found himself pastoring a church in Kansas City, and questioning everything about God and his faith. When Eric took a trip to get away from the life that had him feeling like a fraud, he never imagined coming home a new man, essentially unrecognizable to those who loved him. *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

Nearly everyone doubts the existence or the goodness of God at some point in life, but what happens when you're a pastor who no longer believes? In this episode, we follow Maybe God host and pastor Eric Huffman as he retraces his steps of the journey from Bible Belt religion to atheism. Eric visits his childhood home and his college campus to speak directly with some of the people who helped shape - and wreck - his faith. *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

In this minisode, Maybe God host Eric Huffman and producer Julie Mirlicourtois look back at their favorite moments from season one and give listeners a special preview of season two. Look out for new episodes starting this June.

After years of struggling through a messy divorce, drug addiction, and depression, Casey finally had the life he always wanted: a happy marriage, healthy kids, a growing business, and a deep relationship with God. Then one afternoon, Casey and his wife, Dorian, received some news that changed their lives forever, and the ensuing battle made Casey's past struggles look small by comparison. In this episode, hear this couple's story of amazing love, devastating pain, and the everlasting Light that's carried them through it all. *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

In this minisode, Maybe God host Eric Huffman speaks live to a room full of couples at The Story Houston and goes off-script to share why he thinks "The 5 Love Languages" aren't the main ingredient to saving or restoring your marriage. You can learn more about "The 5 Love Languages" at http://www.5lovelanguages.com. *** Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

When it comes to marriage, does God make a difference? Are marriages between believers better off than "godless" unions? This week, Eric explores these questions with his wife, Geovanna, who shares stories of how God transformed their marriage. Eric's friend, Sara Beth, also shares her story about a shocking revelation and her subsequent divorce. Finally, Eric talks with Emily and Ricardo, a couple nearly torn apart by addiction and depression before finding God together and shifting their priorities. Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Head to maybegodpod.com to contact us. For news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod.

For our fifth episode, Eric speaks with author, pastor, and humanitarian Rudy Rasmus about baptizing Beyonce, pledging allegiance to the flag, and being Black and Christian in Trump's America. With a potent blend of grace and brutal honesty, Rudy reminds Eric of his responsibility to speak out about racism and white supremacy - a reminder that we all need to hear. Rudy Rasmus co-pastors the St. John's Church in Downtown Houston with his wife Juanita and is the author of Love. Period.: When All Else Falls. For more about Rudy, check out his website pastorrudy.net. Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Email us at [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @maybegodpod

This week is all about you, Maybe God's listeners. Your response to Deb Hirsch last week was so overwhelming that we dedicated this fourth episode to your questions and feedback. In this episode, Eric and Deb address questions like, "What's wrong with a little porn?", "Is premarital sex really a sin?", and "Should it be the Church's job to police people's sex lives?" Ultimately, Eric and Deb challenge us to ask better questions as we strive to understand sex as something more than mere physical intercourse. You can follow Deb Hirsch on twitter at @debrahirsch. For more about Redeeming Sex, check out www.ivpress.com/redeeming-sex or pickup a copy on Amazon. Have questions, comments, or story ideas for Maybe God? Email us at [email protected].

For our third episode, the Maybe God team flew to Los Angeles to speak with author, speaker, and pastor Deb Hirsch. In her latest book, Redeeming Sex: Naked Conversations about Sexuality and Spirituality, Deb addresses the overwhelming need in our society (and in our churches) to have deeper conversations about sex. She laments the way most of our cultural conversations about sex are reduced to mere intercourse, and she challenges all her readers - married and single, LGBTQ+ and straight, Christian and non-religious - to think more broadly about the breathtaking, toe-curling, rapturous gift that is human sexuality. *** You can follow Deb Hirsch on twitter at @debrahirsch. For more about Redeeming Sex, check out www.ivpress.com/redeeming-sex or pickup a copy on Amazon. *** Eric Huffman is the founder and lead pastor of The Story Houston. Please visit thestory.church for more information. Maybe God is produced by Eric Huffman, Julie Mirlicourtois, and Brandon Duke. Sound Engineering by Patrick Laughrey and editing by Brittany Holland. Our theme music is by Nathan Bonnes whose other music can be found at nathanbonnes.com.

For our second episode, host Eric Huffman sat down with world-renowned street artist Mr. D (aka Sebastien Boileau). Ever since his loving grandmother warned him, as a child, never to be alone with certain priests (who were suspected of questionable behavior), Sebastien has always struggled with the concepts of religion and God. As an artist, however, he's constantly drawn to pursue transcendence and beauty. This tension between spirituality and cynicism is what makes his art so powerful, and it led Eric to wonder, "Can an artist like Sebastien really be an atheist?" For more about Mr. D, check out his website mrd1987.com.

On our first episode, host Eric Huffman speaks with Bart Campolo, a long-time Christian pastor turned self-described secular humanist, about the reasons Bart left the church and his views on religion, culture, and morality. We wanted address with Bart why it seems like so many people love to hate religion, but the conversation did not quite go as we intended. *** Bart Campolo is the Humanist Chaplain at the University of Cincinnati and hosts the podcast, Humanize Me. For more about Bart, please visit his website bartcampolo.org. Information about Leaving My Father's Faith can be found at campolofilm.com. Special thanks to director John Wright for allowing us to use clips from his documentary.