"God meets us in our vulnerability, and the Holy Spirit isn’t just a concept—He’s a person who wants to walk with us." In this episode of MercyCast , I had the privilege of sitting down with my friend Jenny Randle, the author of the new book, The Promised Presence, to have a deeply personal conversation about something that’s been on both of our hearts: the Holy Spirit. We explored what it means to welcome the Holy Spirit into our lives, not just as a theological concept, but as an active, indwelling presence that transforms us from the inside out. We didn’t shy away from the hard stuff—vulnerability, denominational differences, and the mystery of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Through our conversation, you’ll hear real, raw stories of divine encounters and the ways the Spirit shows up when we’re willing to be still and trust. We reflected on the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts, where the Spirit moved in powerful, unexpected ways—and how that same Spirit is still moving in and through us today. Highlights and takeaways from the conversation: God often meets us in our vulnerability —and that’s where transformation begins. The Holy Spirit is a person , not an “it.” He speaks, guides, comforts, and empowers us daily. The baptism of the Holy Spirit can look different across denominations, but the key is discernment and alignment with God’s character and Word. Scripture—especially Luke and Acts —shows the Spirit's active role in the early church and invites us into that same power. Personal experiences with the Holy Spirit can deepen our faith, helping us trust even in seasons of uncertainty. Community matters. Healing and guidance often come through God’s people when we show up and open up. Being still before God is not passive—it's an act of trust and surrender. How the Holy Spirit moves in moments of desperation The importance of discernment and listening for the Spirit’s “still small voice” Navigating denominational differences in how the Spirit is understood and experienced Why vulnerability is necessary in faith communities How the justice gospel calls us to Spirit-empowered action rooted in compassion and truth Our own personal encounters with the Holy Spirit—some ordinary, some surprising How to cultivate a deeper personal relationship with God through the Spirit’s indwelling Whether you're wrestling with questions about the Holy Spirit, curious about the idea of spiritual baptism, or simply looking for encouragement in your walk with God, this episode is for you. We don’t have it all figured out—but we’re showing up, and that’s part of the journey. Subscribe to MercyCast and leave a review if this conversation spoke to you. Let’s keep walking in trust, together. #HolySpirit #Vulnerability #JusticeGospel #ChristianFaith #SpiritualGuidance #FaithJourney #MercyCast Read Jenny’s book, The Promised Presence . Follow Jenny on Instagram. You can follow MercyCast on Instagram , Twitter , and Facebook . You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram . Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content
