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Order Within Podcast

Order Within Podcast

Written by: Brandon Ward
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 Welcome to Order Within, a show about restoring our connection to God and living with the power He intended for us. In a world facing depression, corruption, and narcissism, this podcast offers strategies and tales of resilience, faith, and purpose. I believe in the power of reconnecting with our authentic selves and our sacred heritage as created beings. Each episode is crafted to inspire and guide you toward a life of honor, faith, and service. We blend biblical study, philosophy, and critical thinking to bring more fulfillment. Join me in rediscovering the essence of true selfhood and the treasures within the way our Creator intended. Order Within is more than a podcast; it's a commitment to support each other in pursuing a virtuous, meaningful life centered around God. Join me, visit www.orderwithinpodcast.com.

orderwithinpodcast.comBrandon Ward Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Philosophy Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Obedience to Christ: A Journey of Transformation with Sasha Lipskaia | Ep. 134

    Obedience to Christ: A Journey of Transformation with Sasha Lipskaia | Ep. 134
    Jan 10 2026
    “Following Christ means taking on your cross and dying to yourself every single day and knowing that you were nothing without Him, and that the only reason you were here was so that you can know and love and follow and live in Him, which is the only way you could actually live.” - Sasha LipskaiaThere’s a haunting verse in Matthew that should shake every person who calls themselves a Christian:“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven... Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.’” (Matthew 7:21-23)I never knew you.Those might be the most terrifying words in all of Scripture. Because they reveal a truth that cultural Christianity desperately wants to avoid: believing in Jesus and actually following Jesus are two completely different things.My conversation with Sasha Lipskaia brought this reality into sharp focus in a way I didn’t anticipate. Here’s a woman who was baptized at six years old in the Russian Orthodox Church. Who believed in God her entire life. Who spoke about Jesus freely. Who even incorporated Christ into her spiritual practices and coaching work.And yet for 30 years, she didn’t truly know Him.This isn’t a story about someone who rejected God and came back. This is about someone who thought they were with God all along - only to discover they’d been dancing around the truth rather than surrendering to it.The Deception of 95% TruthSasha’s journey took her through yoga studios, energy healing modalities, goddess archetypes, and tantric practices that promised enlightenment and self-realization. She became a successful coach helping others find their “divine feminine,” teaching meditation and spiritual practices that felt deeply meaningful.And here’s what makes her story so important: she never rejected Jesus during any of it.She would talk about Christ consciousness. Reference Christian mystics. Feel moved when she heard Jesus’ name. She even went to church occasionally, read parts of the Bible, and genuinely considered herself a follower of Christ.But as she powerfully describes in our conversation: “It was 95% truth - and that’s what makes it so alluring. But there’s 5% that says ‘you are God, and the divine is you.’ And that 5% is the poison that corrupts everything else.”This is the brilliance of the enemy’s strategy. He doesn’t need to get you to reject Jesus outright. He just needs to convince you that you can follow Jesus AND follow yourself. That you can worship God AND worship your own truth. That you can submit to Christ AND maintain sovereignty over your own life.The New Age movement isn’t dangerous because it’s completely false. It’s dangerous because it takes legitimate spiritual hunger - the hunger for connection with God - and redirects it toward self-worship dressed in spiritual language.As Sasha puts it: “I thought I wanted to know God and be intimate with Him. And the enemy gave me exactly that - except it was: ‘You ARE God. And this is God and this is God.’ I was creating a theology that served me while saying I wanted to die to my ego.”The Moment Everything ChangedFor over a year, God had been seeding Himself visibly in Sasha’s life. She’d hear Jesus’ name in conversations and feel something stir. She’d feel protective when people spoke against Him. But she kept putting Him off.It started simply: she wanted to go to church for Easter. The door was closed. Tomorrow, she thought. Tomorrow came - yoga class and tantra class were scheduled. She went to yoga. It started raining. She’d change and then go to church. She changed. Time for tantra class. She didn’t go.And all day, she felt this weight. Like she’d let down someone she loved.The next week was Pentecost. She was in bed, praying - not meditating this time, but genuinely praying. And her prayer had always been simple: “Show me the truth. What is the truth?”She describes what happened next with raw honesty:“I’m asking ‘what’s the truth, what’s the truth?’ And I didn’t know Scripture well enough to realize Jesus said ‘I am the truth, I am the way, I am the life.’ But I could feel Him in front of me. There was no answer - there was just Him. And I hear: ‘Go to church. Your answer is go to church.’”This time, she obeyed.The Gospel reading that day was from John 1 - the story of Nathanael under the fig tree. Jesus tells Nathanael, “I saw you under the tree,” and Nathanael responds, “You are the Son of God!”And Sasha realized: Jesus had been seeing her all along. Under the tree. In her bed. Through all her spiritual seeking. Through all her New Age practices. He saw her. But she hadn’t been seeing Him.“My whole life I was seeking Him, wanting Him, saying I believed in Him, calling His name, being in church, praying. But I did not know Him. I did not make an effort to truly know Him. I wasn’t open ...
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    1 hr and 33 mins
  • Christmas Truths and Myths with Julie West

    Christmas Truths and Myths with Julie West
    Dec 13 2025
    What if everything you’ve been told about Christmas being “pagan” is actually backwards?I sat down with Julie West Worth Remembering - Bible teacher, media personality, and genuine treasure trove of biblical and historical knowledge - for one of the most intellectually satisfying conversations I’ve had about faith, Christmas traditions, and the beautiful complexity of Scripture.This isn’t another surface-level holiday discussion. Julie and I dive deep into the actual historical origins of Christmas traditions, unpacking myths that get repeated year after year, and discovering how God invites us to use our minds - not shut them off - when approaching His Word.What You’ll Discover in This ConversationThe Real Story Behind Christmas TreesForget what you’ve heard about pagan origins. Julie shares the incredible account of Saint Boniface and how the Christmas tree actually represents a powerful Christian testimony of God’s triumph over false worship. The truth is far more beautiful than the myths.Saint Nicholas and the Gospel PictureThe real story of Saint Nicholas isn’t about a jolly elf - it’s a stunning picture of Christ’s redemptive work. When you hear how Nicholas actually saved three sisters from slavery, you’ll never see Santa the same way again.Why December 25th Matters (Even If It’s Not Exact)Was Jesus actually born on December 25th? Probably not. Does that make Christmas meaningless? Absolutely not. Julie breaks down why the celebration matters even when we can’t pin down exact dates, and what this teaches us about worship versus legalism.The Intellectual Depth of ChristianityOne of the most powerful themes in this conversation is how God doesn’t ask for blind faith - He invites us to wrestle, reason, and dig deep. If you’ve ever felt like Christianity requires you to “check your brain at the door,” this conversation will revolutionize your perspective.Wrestling with Scripture Is Part of the JourneyFrom Job’s arguments with God to Jesus using the Socratic method with religious leaders, the Bible itself demonstrates that questioning, wrestling, and seeking understanding are fundamental to genuine faith - not obstacles to it.Key Moments & Timestamps[00:03:42] The danger of “shorthand” Christianity and urban legends[00:05:58] Brandon’s journey: from intellectual skepticism to discovering the Bible’s depth[00:07:25] The Christmas tree myth debunked: Saint Boniface and the Thunder Oak[00:18:03] The beautiful backstory of Saint Nicholas and redemption[00:31:45] Was Jesus really born on December 25th?[00:45:12] The importance of source materials and honest inquiry[00:58:30] Why Christianity doesn’t require blind faith[01:13:46] God gave us brains for a reason - let’s use them[01:15:30] The archaeological evidence supporting biblical history[01:18:03] Julie’s upcoming projects and recommended resourcesWhy This Matters for Your Faith JourneyIf you’ve ever felt torn between intellectual honesty and faith, this conversation offers genuine hope. Julie demonstrates what it looks like to be both a rigorous scholar and a devoted follower of Christ - proving these aren’t contradictory positions but complementary ones.Whether you’re:* New to faith and wrestling with questions about Christian traditions* A longtime believer who wants to go deeper than surface-level understanding* Someone who loves the intellectual depth of Scripture* A parent wanting to pass on faith with integrity and honesty* Curious about the real history behind Christmas celebrationsThis conversation will challenge myths, deepen your understanding, and remind you that God designed us to seek, question, and discover truth - not to settle for comfortable half-truths.Resources MentionedJulie’s Book: Exiting Egypt - Julie is generously offering free digital copies of her book. This will be for a limited time only, so get your copy while you can. If you decide to take her up on the gift, a review of her book would be greatly appreciated! Julie’s Upcoming Podcast: “Oh Wow, That Really Happened” - A true crimes approach to obscure Bible storiesRecommended Resources:* Wave Nunnally - Dead Sea Scrolls scholar and conservative Christian teacher* Craig Keener - Biblical scholarship* Biblical Archaeology* Expedition Bible - YouTube channel going through various Biblical sites and discoveriesConnect with Julie WestJulie is a Bible teacher, author, and on-air personality at Z 88.3 in Orlando. She’s been featured on Fox News, various media outlets, and brings decades of theological study combined with practical teaching that makes Scripture accessible without dumbing it down.My ReflectionOne of the things that continues to blow my mind about Christianity is discovering how intellectually robust it actually is. I came to faith thinking I’d have to set aside my love of learning and reason - only to discover that God actually invites us into the deepest intellectual pursuit imaginable: knowing...
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • Simple Churches and Clear Pathways with Kevin Beasley | Ep. 132

    Simple Churches and Clear Pathways with Kevin Beasley | Ep. 132
    Nov 11 2025
    What if the church you’re looking for doesn’t meet in a building on Sunday mornings?In this conversation, I sit down with Kevin E Beasley —a disciple-making multiplier, coach, and recovering traditional pastor—to explore an ancient-yet-radical approach to Christian community. Kevin helps everyday believers love like Jesus and live like missionaries right where they already are: at work, in their neighborhoods, with their families.After years in church and business leadership, Kevin devoted his life to equipping people to multiply disciples through simple, reproducible, Spirit-led communities. As Southeast Regional Director for the Missionary Church Connect region and co-leader of the National Network of Disciple Makers, Kevin is seeing the church rediscover its original design—transformational communities multiplying in the power of the Spirit.This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt spiritually hungry despite regular church attendance, anyone wrestling with what authentic Christian community really looks like, and anyone sensing God might be calling them to something beyond the Sunday morning experience.What You’ll DiscoverOn Spiritual Poverty and God’s PursuitKevin shares his upbringing in rural North Alabama marked by what he calls “spiritual poverty”—a family with no knowledge of Jesus, growing up in a cycle that felt inescapable. Yet even in that environment, God pursued him through small moments and faithful neighbors. His story reminds us that God’s reach extends far beyond church buildings and religious programs.The Crisis in Traditional Church LeadershipSitting in his third hour of a staff meeting trying to keep big givers from leaving, Kevin experienced a Holy Spirit confrontation: “If I’m lying on my deathbed 40-50 years from now and this is how I spent my life, I would be miserable.” That moment launched him toward radical obedience—walking away from salary, status, and the American church model he’d invested years building.When Sundays Hit DifferentlyWithout a building and weekly services, Kevin admits Sundays can feel painful. Traditional ministry offers “fleshly satisfaction”—seeing everyone in one room, hearing people call you “pastor,” having visible productivity. In organic disciple-making, your flesh gets “ripped apart” as you trade recognition for faithful obedience in small, often invisible ways.The Partnership ModelThis isn’t about tearing down traditional churches. Kevin sees a beautiful partnership: attractional churches reaching people who might never encounter Jesus otherwise, while organic movements meet people where they are and multiply disciples through everyday relationships. The kingdom needs both.Apostolic Gifting and Creating PathwaysMany Christians sense God’s call but don’t know what to do next. Kevin explains how apostolic gifting focuses on creating clear, reproducible pathways—seeing the forest while evangelists see the trees. About 80% of believers aren’t designed to create these pathways themselves; they need someone to show them the way.The Cost of MultiplicationKevin shares the story of a missionary in a restricted nation where the average lifespan after coming to Christ is 36 days. That’s the kind of costly discipleship the early church knew. While we might not face the same persecution, authentic disciple-making still requires dying to self, comfort, and the approval of others.Key Timestamps[00:00:00] Kevin’s opening reflection on hopelessness and transformation[00:03:01] Growing up in spiritual poverty in rural North Alabama[00:07:24] First encounters with Jesus through VBS and faithful neighbors[00:12:42] The 15-day fast that changed everything[00:16:30] Journey through traditional church planting and leadership[00:22:15] The staff meeting that became a Holy Spirit confrontation[00:28:45] Walking away from salary and status for radical obedience[00:35:20] What a simple/organic church actually looks like[00:41:10] When Sundays hit differently without a building[00:47:30] The partnership between attractional and organic churches[00:53:45] Understanding apostolic gifting and creating pathways[00:58:20] Why most believers struggle to know their next step[01:01:02] The forest and the trees—apostles vs. evangelists[01:04:07] Resources and next steps for the curiousQuotes Worth RememberingOn God’s Pursuit:“I can remember being completely hopeless and helpless and thinking that the rest of my life was gonna be like what I’d seen from all the rest of my family. Literally the birds were singing for the first time in my life. Everything looked different.”On Radical Obedience:“I was sitting in a staff meeting on a Monday morning, our third hour trying to figure out how to keep the biggest givers from leaving. The Holy Spirit confronted me—if I’m lying on my deathbed 40-50 years from now and this is how I spent my life, I would be miserable.”On Flesh vs. Spirit:“When you don’t have a ...
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    1 hr and 7 mins
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