Bonjour! Stephanie here. Obviously, I love every single guest I welcome on the show because otherwise, I wouldn't welcome them. And I read every single book. But once in a while, there's one that makes you pause, take a deep breath, and ponder deeply. This is what happened when I read “The Wood Between the Worlds” by Brian Zahnd. Just take a moment and ponder the title itself – I know I keep coming back to its profound poetry. It's about the Cross: Jesus and the Cross, the meanings of the Cross.

Brian opens his book with these words: “I dare to write about God, which is admittedly an audacious undertaking. That a bit of sentient soil would venture to say something about the nature of the ineffable eternal must seem like the most absurd of fools errands. And yet, I venture. I cannot help myself. The depth of my fascination with the one who is the answer to the question of why there is something instead of nothing makes it impossible for me to remain silent on the subject. And when I dare to speak about God, I do so not as the idly curious but as a reverent worshipper. I seek to understand God not as a cold and dispassionate scientist, a “God-ologist,” if you will, but as one who prays, worships, and kneels before his maker.”

“The Wood Between the Worlds” is made of 20 short chapters, each one a precious chocolate nugget nestled inside a fancy box. There is something Forrest Gump-like about it, too. Some of these chapters will probably unsettle you. You may not agree with everything. Just like with a box of chocolates, there might be some you like more, others less. Some spices may feel a little too pungent or not quite to your taste. And that's okay: if we only read things that we totally agree with all the time, things we completely understand, things that never challenge us, how then shall we grow? So, I invite you to be prepared to be shocked, maybe even to disagree with some of the things Brian writes. And that's okay. It's a good thing. I don't ask you to agree with everything in the book, but I would invite you to please consider allowing it to challenge you, as it has me. To do otherwise is to emulate the cancel culture we speak so easily against.

Brian's publisher, InterVarsity Press, is giving away several copies of his book “The Wood Between the Worlds,” to Gospel Spice listeners. You need to be signed up for our newsletter to receive the email that will be sent out a few days after this episode airs. So, if you're not signed up, make sure to sign up now to the Gospel Spice newsletter so you can enter for a chance to win a copy of Brian's book. I'm telling you, it’s totally worth it. It’s at gospelspice.com/signup !

ABOUT “THE WOOD BETWEEN THE WORLDS”

The Cross is the heart of Scripture. Everything about the gospel message leads to the cross, and proceeds from the cross. In fact, within the narrative of Scripture, the crucifixion of Jesus is literally the crux of the story―the axis upon which the biblical story turns. But it would be a mistake to think we could sum up the significance of the crucifixion in a tidy sentence or two. That kind of thinking only insulates us from the magnificence of what God has done. In our ongoing quest to make meaning of the cross, we need to recognize that this conversation will never conclude―that there is always something more to be said.

Brian Zahnd reminds us that the meaning of the cross is multifaceted and should touch every aspect of our lives. Just as gazing through the eyepiece of a kaleidoscope reveals a new geometric image with every turn, Zahnd helps us see that there are infinite ways to behold the cross of Christ as the beautiful form that saves the world. The Wood Between the Worlds is an invitation to encounter the cross of Christ anew.

ABOUT BRIAN ZAHND

Brian Zahnd is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. He is also a pastor-theologian who has authored eleven books, including Sinners In the Hands of a Loving God, When Everything’s on Fire, and The Wood Between the Worlds. Brian is enthusiastic about music, literature, mountains, and long-distance pilgrimages.

Find more at https://brianzahnd.com/

We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

Identity in the battle | Ephesians

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/

Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/

Shades of Red | Against human oppression

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/

God's glory, our delight 

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/

 

You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer 

There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.

But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?

As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.

If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!

A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER

To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.

We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.

So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.

There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.

Let’s begin.

THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE

Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.

So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.

Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!

So, let’s get started.

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