Live Deeply with James Forsyth

In this Season 3 finale, a listener asks why the Westminster Confession of Faith says God is without passion. As James & Mia explain, that doesn't mean God has no emotion. Instead, it points to the deeply comforting truth that all God does expresses who He is, which means we can be assured He's perfectly reliable.Send in your questions over the summer while James & Mia take a break: livedeeply@cspc.net. And we look forward to returning in just a few months for Season 4!

A listener wants to know how to parent a second child with a vastly different personality than the family's firstborn. James responds with practical advice, including the admonition that loving our children equally doesn't always mean treating them exactly the same.Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Most believers accept, at some level, the truth that God is holy. But is He also happy? In this episode, James & Mia respond to a listener who's asking that question. Their answer not only affects how we see God, but also leads to rich & deep application in our own personal lives. Enjoy this episode, recorded with CSPC's Generations class along as a studio audience.

What does it mean when Satan is bound for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:2)? James & Mia wrap up their series on questions from Revelation by taking a deeper look at what's going on in this part of John's vision, as well as how we can apply it practically in everyday life.Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

James & Mia explore another listener question drawn from CSPC's recent sermon series on the book of Revelation. This week's question: What will judgment day be like for believers?Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

This week, James & Mia launch into a few episodes exploring listeners' questions about Revelation after CSPC's recently completed sermon series "Jesus Wins." The first question: How should our understanding of God's coming wrath impact how we think about justice in the here & now?Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Have you ever worried you've committed the unforgivable sin? James & Mia spend this episode exploring just what the Scriptures say about this sometimes puzzling topic. If your heart is soft enough to repent of sin, this episode should leave you feeling encouraged and assured that you haven't done anything too awful for God's forgiveness.Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

How can you be sure you're saved? James & Mia spend this episode tackling that question from a listener. They say just sensing the need to ask the question is probably an encouraging sign. Plus, you'll get a deeper look at how to pursue assurance in the Lord.Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

A listener wants to know what happens to a Christian when he or she dies. James & Mia unpack the biblical answer, which provides not only an explanation for why death brings such overwhelming sorrow, but also grants deep comfort to those who are in Christ. If you find this podcast helpful, please spread the word. Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

If there's one member of the Trinity most of us know the least about, it's the Holy Spirit. That's how Mia felt, and it's one reason she recently attended Bridgetown Church's Holy Spirit Conference. In this episode, she and James unpack what she learned about the member of the Godhead so many believers find so mysterious.Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Have you ever wondered where James would make his home if he could live in a movie scene? What about his go-to Chick-fil-A order? Get to know James like never before as Mia peppers him with rapid-fire style questions in a fun departure from the usual, more weighty topics they tackle.Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

A listener who recently took a job in a new city after graduating college is wondering if he made the wrong decision. In this episode, James says this kind of decision-making is less about being right or wrong; it's more about knowing how to seek wisdom and keeping our pursuit of Jesus primary.Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

A listener wants to know, "Who is my neighbor?" Amazingly, Jesus got that very same question more than 2,000 years ago! So for the answer, James & Mia take a fresh look at a familiar parable with the power to change the world.Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Have you ever wondered why our church doesn't generally clap, shout, or dance during Sunday morning worship? Pastor of Worship Landon Paul joins James for this episode. Together, they dive into the Scriptures and draw on wisdom to answer this very important question.Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

With CSPC in the middle of its yearly mission conference, James & Mia explore why mission is so important to our church. It's a conversation that just might sharpen your perspective on all God's doing through His people. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

James and Mia wrap up a series of sermons (and podcasts) on anxiety by responding to a listener's question about the use of medication to navigate "Capital A" anxiety. As James explains, medicine is one of God's instruments of healing for which we should give thanks, but also a step to be considered very carefully with the help of an expert. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

When you read Philippians 4, the phrase "The Lord is at hand" in verse 5 is easy to skip past, or may even seem out of place. But as James & Mia unpack in this episode, it's crucial: Leaning into our living Lord's presence is how we start to lighten the anxious places in our lives. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

James and Mia dive back into Philippians 4 to tackle another question raised by CSPC's current sermon series on anxiety. At first glance, verse 5 can seem disconnected from the rest of the passage. But as James explains, that's not the case. He explores just what Paul means when he says, "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone." Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Is anxiety a sin? Many have asked James that question after he kicked off his current sermon series on anxiety. James and Mia explore the topic in this episode, ultimately arriving at an answer aimed at giving you greater rest in God's peace. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

James and Mia are responding to a listener who asked them to share their favorite Christmas carols, and you may be surprised at their choices! Both lean toward the darker end of the spectrum. Discover how James and Mia find Christmas hope in the minor keys. And if you find this podcast helpful, spread the word by sharing, rating, reviewing, and subscribing.

If God has already determined how He's going to act, what's the use of prayer? James & Mia tackle this perplexing question, which came to mind as Mia processed the church's recent sermon series on prayer. For more on the related topic of reconciling God's sovereignty and man's responsibility, check out Season 3 Episode 6 of this podcast. And don't forget to spread the word- share, rate, review, and subscribe!

We call this time of year the season of Advent, but have you ever stopped to ask what the word 'Advent' means? James and Mia dive into that question this episode. And while you probably knew Advent centers on Jesus's arrival, you may be surprised how much it also has to do with another constant theme of the Christian life: waiting. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word by sharing, rating, reviewing, and subscribing.

In this special Thanksgiving episode, James & Mia explore how God can change our hearts toward the difficult people in our lives. The starting point could be as simple as genuinely expressing gratitude for their good qualities out loud. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Has bitterness ever impeded your worship? James & Mia address a question from a former worship pastor struggling with this problem. They offer practical encouragement that can help all of us better prepare our hearts for corporate worship on Sundays. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

There are few better ways to enlarge your view of what God's doing in our world than to go on an overseas mission trip. Mia recently returned from visiting church partners in the United Kingdom. In this episode, she shares some of the inspiring and surprising work God is up to "across the pond."  If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

The heartbreaking loss of a friend in childhood prompted one listener to ask, "Can faithful practicing Jews be saved?" James explores that tender question with pastoral care firmly anchored in the Scriptures. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

James & Mia wrap up their three-week series on living deeply during an election cycle. They conclude by drawing out the importance of prayer, having a spirit of healing, and fixing our eyes on Christ as we prepare to head to the voting booth. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Why do faithful Christians often find themselves voting for different candidates? And how should Christ-followers treat those they disagree with politically? In the second part of a series on living deeply during an election, James shares biblical and personal insights into both questions.  Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

As we head down the home stretch of the presidential election, James & Mia begin a three-week series on how to live deeply during election season. In this kickoff episode, James unpacks why Christians should neither underestimate or overestimate the importance of politics. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Have you ever noticed that the last line of the Lord's Prayer, as prayed by our church, doesn't appear in the ESV translation of the Bible? Why, then, do we include it in our corporate worship? James and Mia answer that question from a listener in this episode. Plus, they broaden the discussion to explain why we can trust the Bible even though the earliest copies of the Scriptures contain some differences.

For many of you, Fall Break is here! So how does a Christian use a vacation to glorify God? James shares his thoughts. Plus, find out his and Mia's own plans for Fall Break. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

James has preached an awful lot of sermon series in his career as a pastor. Have you ever wondered which was his personal favorite? So did another curious listener, and James answers that question in this episode. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

It's one of the thorniest theological questions of all time: How do we reconcile God's sovereignty with man's responsibility? James & Mia dive into this topic by going to both the Old and New Testament, leading to a final destination that reveals how the question itself reveals the beauty of God. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word: Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

All Christians are called to walk like Christ, but how does that call apply specifically to men? James & Mia unpack the answer in this episode, based on a talk James recently gave to CSPC's Men's Ministry Conference. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word: Share, rate, review, and subscribe!

A listener wants to know if it's okay to have an unbelieving boyfriend. James & Mia offer a tenderhearted response that we can all benefit from, whether we're happily single, dating, or have been married for decades. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word: Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

This may be the first time James & Mia have done a movie review for the podcast! In this episode, they're sharing their thoughts on the family film Inside Out 2. You may be surprised by some of the deep practical and spiritual takeaways embedded in this animated film. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word: Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

From literary classics to biographies of intense Americans in the headlines today, James & Mia got in some terrific reads this summer! Maybe you'll be interested in checking some of them out after you listen to this episode. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

James and Mia are back in the podcast studio after a summer away! They're kicking off this new season in "rose, thorn, bud" style: Looking back on something good from the summer, a challenge from the summer, and something they're looking forward to for the fall. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this special episode, James wraps up Season 2 by unpacking how the podcast began in the first place and reflecting on what it's meant for his relationship with his daughter (and co-host) Mia. Even though Mia isn't in the studio with him for this one, her presence is all over the episode! CSPC Ministry Resident Matt Kerr guest hosts. James & Mia will return in August with fresh episodes for Season 3! In the meantime, spread the word by sharing, rating, reviewing, and subscribing to the podcast.

What is the place of exercise in the life of a Christian believer? James and Mia say the key is to approach it from a stewardship perspective. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word! Share, rate, review, and subscribe.

We all deal with anxious feelings, but what distinguishes "Little A" anxiety from "Big A" anxiety? In this episode, James and Mia explore a question a listener brought up in response to one of James' recent sermons. If you find this podcast helpful, let others know about it: share, rate, review, and subscribe. Notes: Summers McMurray - What Do We Do With Anxiety?

Is it necessary to have a daily quiet time of Bible reading and prayer with the Lord? James and Mia's answer to a listener's question goes well beyond 'yes' or 'no.' In this episode, they speak to how all of us can come alive to God, whether we enjoy solitude or not. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word- share, rate, review, and subscribe!

Is lust a precondition for love? In this episode, James and Mia explore one of the more intriguing questions a listener has ever asked. WARNING: If you have young children around, you may want to wait to listen to this episode. Some of the material may not be suitable for little ears. Don't forget to share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

If the fruit of the Spirit all grows together, what's the point of focusing on how each individual fruit is being cultivated in our lives? In this episode, James and Mia tackle that question, which grew out of a discussion in Mia's small group about CSPC's current sermon series on the fruit of the Spirit. Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word- share, rate, review, and subscribe!

What does good conversation at the family dinner table look like? James and Mia return this week to answer a listener's question, and James unpacks how different approaches for generating quality time at the dinner table are probably necessary as our children get older. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word- share, rate, review, and subscribe!

Your vehicle won't run well if routine maintenance is neglected, and neither will your marriage. In this final message from CSPC's Marriage Saturday, Director of Counseling Ministry Summers McMurray talks about the important role regular tune-ups play in keeping our marriages healthy. She also points out some warning signs that actual repair work may be needed. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word- share, rate, review, and subscribe!

Ever wondered why, sometimes, "date night" isn't that great? In this episode from CSPC's Marriage Saturday, licensed marriage and family therapist Marla Delong says it's probably a result of neglecting "little things" in the rest of your marriage. She has all kinds of helpful tips to help couples turn toward -rather than away from or against- one another. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word- share, rate, review, and subscribe!

Partnering in parenting is key to the health of our marriages and families. But our own backgrounds may be holding us back in ways we've never even noticed. In this talk from CSPC's Marriage Saturday, Licensed Counselor Brett Gleason highlights the importance of understanding the brokenness we bring into our parenting. Show notes: To download the booklet for Marriage Saturday or to view our Marriage Saturday event, go to https://cspc.net/ministries/adults/ and click Marriage.

How would you describe your connection to God? What about your spouse's connection to Him? In another talk from CSPC's recent Marriage Saturday, Laura Strunk unpacks what we can do if our or our spouse's spiritual circuits feel broken. Show notes: To download the booklet for Marriage Saturday or to view our Marriage Saturday event, go to https://cspc.net/ministries/adults/ and click Marriage.

It's not wrong or unusual to feel strong emotions in the heat of conflict. The question is: What are they telling us? In this episode, CSPC Associate Director of Counseling Ministry Stewart Scott walks us through the crucial importance of emotional awareness in marriage. It's part of a series featuring talks from CSPC's recent Marriage Saturday event. Show notes: To download the booklet for Marriage Saturday or to view our Marriage Saturday event, go to https://cspc.net/ministries/adults/ and click Marriage.

As part of Global Mission Conference week, James and Mia are digging into CSPC's goal to help plant 500 new churches by 2030. They unpack why church planting is God's most effective evangelism tool- not just in brand new congregations, but in their parent churches as well! Find this podcast helpful? Spread the word- share, rate, review, and subscribe!