The Ragamuffin Circus: Dr. Eric Sandras #242

In this episode, I interview Dr. Eric Sandras founder of The Sanctuary Church, " beautifully messy community where the marginalized, the recovrting, misfits know they belong." We explore the profound themes of belonging, sacred work, and the transformative power of love and grace in ministry and life. Eric shares personal stories, insights on suffering, and practical ways to embody proximity and compassion in a broken world. Dr. E shares profound stories and insights on grace, the human condition, and how to live an undivided life. I along with Dr. E explore themes of suffering, grace, authenticity, and the power of relationships, inspired by Brennan Manning's work and real-life experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 53:46 The Wave of Grief and Gratitude 54:14 Expanding Capacity for Joy 54:40 The Relationship Between Gratitude and Joy 55:07 Joy as a Fruit of Gratitude 55:37 Finding Joy in the Darkest Places 55:56 The Power of Gratitude in Difficult Times 56:26 God's Compassion and Our Response 56:51 The Role of Gratitude in Perspective 57:02 The Impact of Small Acts of Kindness 57:15 The Significance of Transparency and Vulnerability 57:24 The Disruptive Nature of Grace 57:44 Living an Undivided Life: Wholehearted Faith 01:00:26 Proximity and Authentic Relationships 01:01:08 Jesus' Relationship with the Marginalized 01:01:37 Knowing People by Name and Building Trust 01:02:06 The Power of Small Gestures 01:02:41 The Importance of Being Present 01:03:01 Transparency and Vulnerability in Relationships 01:03:29 The Impact of Small Acts of Kindness 01:03:36 The Disruption of Divine Appointments 01:04:06 Allowing God to Interfere in Our Schedules 01:04:26 Living an Integrated Life: Surrender and Obedience 01:04:47 The Role of Faith in Daily Life 01:05:16 Prioritizing Jesus in Every Area 01:05:24 Allowing Christ to Be Preeminent 01:06:12 Living a Life of Wholehearted Surrender 01:06:43 The Role of Recovery and Surrender 01:07:28 Reflections and Closing Remarks key topics