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Voices from the Desert
Voices from the Desert
Author: Joshua Hoffert and Murray Dueck
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© 2025 Voices from the Desert
Description
In the early days of Christianity, men and women fled to the desert and became the wisest sages of their era. Voices from the Desert explores how the wisdom of Ancient Christianity applies to our modern world. Where do the streams of historic Christianity intersect with contemporary Christianity? And how do we come to know God deep in our heart? Join Joshua Hoffert and Murray Dueck for a deep dive into the mystics, union with God, patristic theology and what it all means in our modern world.
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Join Josh as he interviews long time friend Justin Menzies, pastor of First Love Church in Calgary. Justin shares his story of running away from home at a young age only to be found by God and radically transformed. For more about Justin and First Love Church, visit: https://firstlovechurch.ca/ For more about Voices from the Desert, visit: https://www.patreon.com/VoicesfromtheDesert
How influenced were the early church father by platonic and neo-platonic philosophy? Were many of them just Greek philosophers disguised as Christians? Join Josh and Murr as they dive in to discuss the influence of ancient philosophy on the early Christians. For more about Voices from the Desert, check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/VoicesfromtheDesert
How did the ancients perceive prophecy? Is it just about foretelling the future? What does it actually mean to hear the voice of God? Join Josh and Murr as they dive into all things prophecy with Eric Janzen, author of the book "Ponder: Valuing and Evaluating the Gift of Prophecy". For more about Voices from the Desert, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/VoicesfromtheDesert For more about Eric Janzen's book, visit: https://www.amazon.ca/Ponder-Valuing-Evaluating-Gift-Prophecy/dp/B0BXN...
How does scripture describe an anointed leader? And how is Christ the perfect example? Join Josh and Murr as they talk about the current culture of leadership development in light of Isaiah 42 and Psalm 89. For more about Voices from the Desert, visit: https://www.patreon.com/VoicesfromtheDesert
"An unquantifiable amount of human pain is about to walk through those doors, so be gentle. Life is often hard on these folks, and it is a miracle that many of them are here.” With this simple phrase, Andrew encourages his leadership team to be a sacramental offering towards each person who walks in on Sunday morning. When considering theological positions, the practice of "Church" is often tertiary. What would it look like if we considered each Sunday an incarnation, and each sacrament made ...
Join Josh and Murray as they dive into the final rule of the Communion With Jesus The Daily Agenda from the monks at Goosechase Monastery and Nova Scotia. What does it mean to have a "rule of life"? In the earliest monastic writing, simple instructions were given to disciples like when Anthony the Great said, "Whoever you may be, always have God before your eyes; whatever you do, do it according to the testimony of the holy Scriptures; and in whatever place you live, do not easily leave it." ...
What does it mean to be a monk in the world? How can we foster a quiet heart to respond to the gentle tug of the Father? Join Josh and Murr as they cover Rule 9 of the document: The 10 Rules of Spiritual Life by the monks at Goosechase Monastery in Nova Scotia. For more about Goosechase Monastery, visit: https://www.goosechasemonastery.ca/ For more about Voices from the Desert, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/VoicesfromtheDesert
Join Josh and Murr as they dive into Rule 8 of the Communion with Jesus Daily Agenda: Get Purified and Keep in Check. They boys explore watchfulness of heart, preparation, and living from the inner man. For more about Voices from the Desert, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/VoicesfromtheDesert For more about Goosechase Monastery, visit: https://www.goosechasemonastery.ca/index.html
In continuing the conversation about healing of the heart with Father Andrew Miller of Heartsync Ministries, Father Andrew dives into the four core parts of the heart and the journey of discovery that he went on through counseling, pastoring, and encounter. What do you do when the person who walks into your office is a different person than who you see on a Sunday? And how do you navigate helping them recover? Join Josh and Murr as they dive in with the Bishop and explore healing the depths o...
Join Josh and Murr as they interview the founder of Heartsync Ministries about his journey of counseling, therapy, and encountering God. From the Jesus People Movement to encountering an angel and finding himself working with severe disassociation, Bishop Andrew Miller found himself discovering wholeness and healing all along the way. Join the boys as they talk with Bishop Andrew about his life, story, journey, and the development of Heartsync as a robust approach to healing ministry. For mor...
The Psalmist tells us that the deep heart of man devises iniquity and plots our schemes. How might the 10 Rules of the Spiritual Life address the deep heart of man with all its lies, insecurities, and delusions? Join Murr and Josh as they dive into Rules 6 and 7: "Accept to remain in darkness and confusion" and "Be thankful all the time". For more about Voices from the Desert, visit our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/c/VoicesfromtheDesert For more about Goosechase Monastery, visit: htt...
In today's day and age we are surrounded with great examples of failed leaders. But does every failure constitute spiritual abuse and manipulation? It sure seems like some think so. Join Josh and Murr as they talk about Rule #5 from the 10 Spiritual Rules: Trust. For more about Voices from the Desert, check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/VoicesfromtheDesert For more about the monks in New Germany, visit their website: https://www.goosechasemonastery.ca/index.html
Josh and Murr are back at it covering rules 3 and 4 from the Communion with Jesus Christ: 10 Rules for the Spiritual Life pamphlet from the monks at the Hermitage of the Annunciation in New Germany, NS. Today's rules: 3. Labour with endurance in prayer. 4. Accept to remain "dry". For more about the monks, visit: https://www.goosechasemonastery.ca/index.html For more about Voices from the Desert, visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/VoicesfromtheDesert
Have you ever wondered how to point your life in a God-ward way? Murray and Josh are setting out on a series to cover a monastic document - "Ten Rules for the Spiritual Life" authored by the Orthodox monks in Nova Scotia, Canada at the Goosechase Monastery (https://www.goosechasemonastery.ca/index.html). In this episode, Murr and Josh introduce the document and cover the first two rules: Seek Self-Renunciation and Accept to Have No Results. For more about Voices from the Desert, visit our Pat...
Once again, the boys are back with Michael Sullivant. Tune in as Michael talks about developing a nest of virtues, how the ancients intuited spiritual growth, synchronizing the mind with Christ, and much more! For more about Michael Sullivant, visit: radiusministries.org For more about Voices from the Desert, check out our Patreon page: patreon.com/VoicesfromtheDesert
Today on the Voices from the Desert, Josh and Murr interview Michael Sullivant and dive into a discussion on discipleship, the sound mind, and spiritual formation. Michael Sullivant is the founder of Radius Ministries along with his wife Terri Sullivant. Michael also serves as the Director of Relational Networks for the Life Model Works. Tune in and this conversation will stimulate your brain! For more about Voices from the Desert, visit out Patreon page: patreon.com/VoicesfromtheDesert For m...
In part 2 of their conversation, Murray, Josh, and Chris talk about ancestral sin vs original sin, discovering the Desert Fathers, the Dark Night of the Soul, the potential witchcraft of "once saved, always saved," and much more)! Tune in this week as they dive in with Chris Hawthorne, the Fr Deacon at Holy Nativity Church in Langley, BC, Canada. For more about Chris and the Holy Nativity Church visit: https://www.holynativitychurch.ca/ For more about Voices from the Desert and to join the Pa...
Murray and Josh sit down with good friend Chris Hawthorne to talk about his journey towards the Orthodox priesthood. Chris attended Murray's ministry school in the early 2000's and he and Josh have crossed paths many times. Like many, he discovered something severely lacking in his faith. This went un-answered until he encountered a spiritual father in the Orthodox Church. Now he is almost a priest. Tune into part 1 as they dive into Chris's story of encounter, beauty, and transformation. For...
Another day, another election. This episode was recorded in the wake of the Canadian election. Murray and Josh share their thoughts about political outcomes, where our hope lies, and how God speaks through the circumstances in our lives. Join the boys as they dive in! For more about Voices from the Desert and to support the show, visit the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/VoicesfromtheDesert
On the podcast today, Josh sits down with guest host Rob Mazza to interview podcaster Will Spencer. They talk about Will's journey from the New Age rave scene in San Francisco to encountering Jesus in the desert of Nevada, and then the long circuitous route to salvation and healing. Will has been helping people find meaning and purpose in life, and find Christian hope in the midst of a rapidly changing world. You can find more about Will Spencer at: https://www.youtube.com/@willspencerpod For...





















