Podcast
Shoes Off
Hosted by Ray Slavens, Isaac Slavens · EN
Shoes Off is a weekly Christian podcast designed for your commute, morning coffee, or quiet break. Each episode combines scripture, reflection, and a practical weekly challenge that you can carry into everyday life.
The name comes from two powerful images: Moses removing his shoes to meet God on holy ground, and the phrase “that sermon stepped on my toes”—a reminder that God’s word both comforts and challenges us to grow.
Through relatable stories, timely illustrations, and biblical truth, Shoes Off helps you pause, prepare your heart, and walk closer with Christ each week.
Join us as we take our shoes off—because growth begins on holy ground.
Email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
43episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Story Behind The Song | Calm in the Chaos
Jul 600:10:29Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn Week 4 of The Story Behind The Song, Ray Slavens shares the deeply personal story behind the song "Wonderful Peace." Inspired by the beloved hymn of the same name and his own lifelong journey with anxiety, this episode explores the difference between the peace the world offers and the peace only Christ can give.Diagnosed with severe anxiety as a teenager, Ray opens up about the quiet battles many people never saw—the fear, the racing thoughts, and the search for peace through prayer, Scripture, worship, and moments of solitude. While following Jesus didn't remove every struggle, it taught him that God's peace isn't found in the absence of hardship, but in His faithful presence through it.If you've ever felt overwhelmed, discouraged, or wondered where to find peace in the middle of life's storms, this conversation is for you.Because sometimes the greatest miracle isn't that God calms the storm...It's that He calms our hearts while we walk through it.🎧 Join us as we explore the story behind the song and the Savior who still offers "peace that surpasses all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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The Story Behind The Song | Her Last Breath
Jun 2800:10:45Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn Week 3 of The Story Behind The Song, Ray Slavens shares the deeply personal story behind the song "Her Last Breath."Written in memory of his sister Jessica, this song was inspired by her long battle with illness, pain, and the effects of trauma. For more than twenty years, Jessica faced health challenges that eventually led to her passing. Yet through it all, one question she often asked remained the inspiration behind this song:"What's it going to be like when I die?"The answer was always found in God's Word:"To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."— 2 Corinthians 5:8In this episode, Ray reflects on the relationship he shared with his sister, the gift of reconciliation during their later years, and the hope Christians have in the promise of eternal life.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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The Story Behind The Song | Crooked Nail Cabin
Jun 2100:10:37Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn Week 2 of The Story Behind The Song, Ray shares the inspiration behind Crooked Nail Cabin, a place tucked away in the Kentucky hills where fathers, sons, and men gather to step away from the distractions of life and focus on God, His creation, and each other.More than a song about a cabin, this episode explores the importance of godly friendships, intentional discipleship, and building a legacy that rests on a firm foundation—God's Word.Because sometimes the places that shape us most aren't built with wood and nails, but with faith, fellowship, and the investment of one generation into the next.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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The Story Behind The Song | A Changed Man
Jun 1400:11:56Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailJoin Ray Slavens in this special 8-week series, The Story Behind The Song, as he shares the inspiration, Scripture, and life lessons behind some of the original songs he has been blessed to write.Each episode takes listeners beyond the lyrics and into the stories that shaped them, from family legacies and personal faith journeys to seasons of struggle, redemption, hope, and God's unfailing grace.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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Jesus Never Said...Life would be Easy
Jun 100:22:11Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailLife can be hard.The pressures of work, family, finances, health, relationships, and simply trying to keep up can leave us exhausted and wondering if we’re doing something wrong.In this episode of “Jesus Never Said…”, we explore one of the biggest misconceptions in modern Christianity: the belief that following Jesus should make life easier.The reality is that Jesus never promised an easy life. In fact, He told His followers they would face trouble. But He also promised something far greater—His presence, His peace, and the hope of eternity.This world is not our final home.And while the journey may not always be easy, it is filled with purpose.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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Jesus Never Said... God Helps Those Who Helps Themselves
May 2600:16:47Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail“God helps those who help themselves.”It’s another common phrases people associate with the Bible, but Jesus never actually said it.In this episode of “Jesus Never Said…”, we discuss the difference between self-sufficiency and dependence on God.We also explore how modern culture pushes people toward self-reliance while Scripture continually points us toward grace, humility, and trust in God.The reality is: 👉 Jesus never taught people to depend on themselves. 👉 He taught people to follow Him.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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Jesus Never Said...Money is the Root of All Evil
May 1700:18:10Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail“Money is the root of all evil.”It’s one of the most repeated phrases connected to Christianity but it’s not actually what Scripture says.In this episode of “Jesus Never Said…”, we unpack what the Bible really teaches about money, greed, contentment, and the condition of the human heart.Because the issue was never money itself. The issue is what we love… trust… and worship.And in a culture constantly pushing us toward “more,” this episode challenges us to honestly ask: What is really controlling my heart?We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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Jesus Never Said... Follow Your Heart
May 1000:21:08Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail“Just follow your heart.”It’s one of the most common pieces of advice in culture today but Jesus never actually said it. In this first episode of our new series, “Jesus Never Said…”, we unpack the decision between following our feelings and following Christ.Culture tells us: trust yourself, live your truth, do what feels right.But Jesus taught something very different: 👉 “Follow Me.” 👉 “Deny yourself.” 👉 “Trust in the Lord.”The reality is: Feelings are real… but they were never meant to lead your life. Because sometimes what feels right, still leads in the wrong direction.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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The Kingdom of Heaven is Like.... | Matthew 25
Apr 2600:25:18Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat does it actually mean to be ready for Jesus’ return?In the final episode of our series “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…”, we unpack one of Jesus’ most sobering parables—the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1–13.All ten looked prepared. All ten were waiting. All ten had lamps.But only some were truly ready.In this conversation, we discuss: The context of Matthew 25 and why Jesus told this parable Why the bridegroom’s delay reflects the waiting for Christ’s return The significance of the oil and the difference between appearance and preparation What Jesus meant when He said, “I don’t know you” Why readiness cannot be borrowed from someone else And why Jesus warned us not to obsess over predicting dates, but to live prepared The question is not “When?” but “Am I ready?”We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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The Kingdom of Heaven is Like... | Episode 3
Apr 1900:24:28Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn week three of our series “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…”, we dive into the wheat and the weeds (Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43).At first glance, it raises a difficult question: If good seed was planted… where did the weeds come from?Jesus doesn’t avoid the tension, he explains it.In this episode, we break down: Why this parable is about the world The reality of both good and evil growing side by side The role of the enemy and why that matters Why God doesn’t remove evil immediately And what our role actually is in the middle of it We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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