Mystical practices and theory within Christianity
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Clinical psychologist Alexis Abernethy explores burnout, Sabbath rest, and resilience—reframing rest as spiritual practice for individuals and communities.“For me, it's knowing that the Lord has made me as much to work as much to be and to be still and know that he is God.”On this episode, clinical psychologist Alexis Abernethy (Fuller Seminary) joins Macie Bridge to discuss burnout, Sabbath, worship, mental health, and resilience in the life of the church. Defining burnout through its dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced sense of accomplishment, Abernethy reflects on how church life can intensify these dynamics even as it seeks to heal them. Drawing from scripture, theology, psychology, and her own experience in the Black church and academic worlds, she reorients us to Sabbath as more than self-care: a sacred practice of being still before God. Sabbath, she argues, is not a quick fix but a preventive rhythm that sustains resilience in leaders and congregations alike. Along the way, she points to the necessity of modeling rest, the impact of daily and weekly spiritual rhythms, and the communal posture that makes Sabbath transformative.Episode Highlights“For me, it's knowing that the Lord has made me as much to work as much to be and to be still and know that he is God.”“Often people have overextended themselves in face of crises, other circumstances over a period of time, and it's just not really sustainable, frankly, for anyone.”“We act as if working hard and excessively is dutiful and really what the Lord wants—but that's not what He wants.”“When you are still with the Lord, you look different when you're active.”“Sabbath rest allows you to literally catch your own breath, but also then be able to see what the congregation needs.”Helpful Links and ResourcesThat Their Work Will Be a Joy, Kurt Frederickson & Cameron LeeHoward Thurman, Meditations of the HeartEmily Dickinson, “Some Keep the Sabbath” (Poetry Foundation)About Alexis AbernethyAlexis Abernethy is a clinical psychologist and professor in the School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy at Fuller Seminary. Her research explores the intersection of spirituality and health, with particular focus on Christian spirituality, church leadership, and group therapy models.Topics and ThemesBurnout in Church Leadership and Congregational LifeDefining Burnout: Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Reduced AccomplishmentSpiritual Misconceptions of Work and DutySabbath as Sacred Rest, Not Just Self-CareSilence, Stillness, and the Presence of GodScriptural Foundations for Sabbath: Psalm 23, Psalm 46, John 15The Role of Pastors in Modeling RestPandemic Lessons for Church Rhythms and ParticipationEmily Dickinson and Creative Visions of SabbathResilience Through Sabbath: Lessons from New Orleans PastorsPractical Practices for Sabbath in Everyday LifeShow NotesExodus 20:8-11: 8 Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 10 But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it.Opening framing on burnout, Sabbath, and confusion about self-careIntroduction of Alexis Abernethy, her background as psychologist and professorChildhood in a lineage of Methodist pastors and formative worship experiencesEarly academic path: Howard University, UC Berkeley, affirmation from her fatherDefining burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, reduced accomplishment“I'm just stuck. I used to enjoy my job.”The church as both source of fulfillment and site of burnoutMisconceptions of spirituality equating overwork with dutyReference: That Their Work Will Be a Joy (Frederickson & Lee)Scriptural reflections: Psalm 23, Psalm 46, John 15Stillness, quiet, and Howard Thurman on solitude“When you are still with the Lord, you look different when you're active.”Sabbath as sacred rest, not a quick fix or pillPastors modeling Sabbath for congregations, including personal family timeCOVID reshaping church rhythms and recalculating commitment costsEmily Dickinson's poem “Some Keep the Sabbath”Lessons from New Orleans pastors after Hurricane KatrinaSabbath as resilience for leaders and congregationsPractical steps: scripture meditation, playlists, Lectio Divina, cultivating quietClosing invitation: Sabbath as both individual discipline and community postureProduction NotesThis podcast featured Alexis AbernethyInterview by Macie BridgeEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Alexa Rollow and Emily BrookfieldA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give
In this episode, prophet continues to teach on the 7 Pillars Of Christian Spirituality under which he expounds on the disciplines of solitude.Kindly listen and be blessed.
In this episode, Prophet expounds on the following under the disciplines of solitude:-Journaling in the presence of God-prayer and intercessionKindly listen and be blessed.
In this powerful sermon, Pastor Karl wraps up the study of the Book of Ruth, focusing on Chapter 4. He explores the profound themes of God's providence, redemption, and love woven throughout the narrative. Pastor Karl highlights how Boaz, as a kinsman-redeemer, mirrors Christ's sacrificial love for humanity, taking on Ruth's baggage without hesitation to redeem her. Through the lens of Ruth's story, we see a beautiful picture of Jesus pursuing the person, not possessions, and the transformative power of obedience to God's command. Pastor Karl emphasizes that our obedience, paired with God's providence, leads to convergence—working all things together for good. This episode reminds us that no matter our past, Christ redeems us fully, inviting us into His story of grace and love.Watch all our sermons on our YouTube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm
Today we look at the 31st saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. Jesus said, “No prophet is accepted in his own village. No physician heals those who know him.” There are slightly different translations. "No prophet is welcome on his home turf; doctors don't cure those who know them." “A prophet is not accepted in the hometown. A doctor does not heal those who know the doctor.” “No prophet is accepted in his own village. No physician heals the people who know him well.”View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
In this episode, prophet continues to teach on spiritual disciplines under which he expounds on practicing the presence of God deliberately.Kindly listen and be blessed.
In this second episode of our four-week series on the Book of Ruth, Pastor Karl explores the theme of God's providence as seen in Ruth Chapter 2. He delves into the distinction between God's miracles and His providence, emphasizing how God supernaturally orchestrates the natural events of our lives for the good of those who love Him. Through the story of Ruth, a Moabite widow, and her mother-in-law Naomi, Pastor Karl illustrates how God's providence brings blessing to those who trust and obey Him, even in the face of hardship. The episode introduces Boaz, a wealthy and godly man who foreshadows Jesus as a kinsman-redeemer, and highlights Ruth's faith, humility, and diligence as she gleans in Boaz's fields. Pastor Karl unpacks the biblical principles of generosity, trust, and staying faithful to God's promises, showing how God's unseen hand works to redeem and restore broken lives. Join us as we see how Ruth's story of providence and redemption unfolds, offering timeless lessons for living with confidence and momentum in God's plan.Watch all our sermons on our YouTube channel "Flipside Christian Church"Join us in person 9:00am & 10:30am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm
In this episode, prophet continues his teaching on the 7 pillars of Christian Spirituality under which he he teaches on spiritual disciplines and spiritual exercises. Kindly listen and be blessed
In the 30th saying in the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus deals with the topic of the Trinity. At least it seems like he is referring to the Trinity. He may be talking about tritheism or even polytheism. He is certainly talking about duality and nonduality. See also the episode entitled “Trinity and Nonduality.” at this link: https://youtu.be/PvRbrosAhtU View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
Send us a textUnlocking Divine Creativity | Exodus 35:31–32Scripture Foundation“He has filled them with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.” – Exodus 35:31–32Creativity often feels out of reach when we are under pressure, overwhelmed by deadlines, or discouraged by personal limitations. Yet the Word of God reminds us that the Holy Spirit Himself equips believers with wisdom, knowledge, and skill. In today's Daily Prayer Devotional, Reverend Ben Cooper, recorded live from our London studio, leads us into a prayer that awakens divine creativity and invites us to walk in God-given wisdom.Prayer FocusThis prayer addresses the barriers that often stifle creativity—fear of failure, self-doubt, striving in our own strength, and cultural pressure to constantly perform. Reverend Ben Cooper prays for:A fresh outpouring of wisdom in every area of life.Release from mental blocks and spiritual stagnation.Boldness to dream bigger than human possibility allows.Confidence in God's provision when stepping into new ideas.Alignment of creativity with God's purpose and glory.The prayer echoes the truth of James 1:5, which promises that God generously gives wisdom to all who ask, and Luke 18:27, which declares that what is impossible with man is possible with God.Life ApplicationThis devotional challenges listeners to shift their view of creativity from a personal achievement to a spiritual calling. When God filled Bezalel with the Spirit to build the tabernacle (Exodus 35), it was not merely artistic skill but holy empowerment. In the same way, God equips modern believers—whether in ministry, work, relationships, or daily life—to create, build, and lead with Spirit-led innovation.Listeners are encouraged to approach their tasks with prayer, recognizing that God inspires both small ideas and great visions. Each believer carries the Spirit of God, meaning creativity is not a distant gift but a present reality to be stewarded faithfully.Global RelevanceIn a world that equates worth with productivity, many overlook the divine source of inspiration. This devotional is a reminder that true creativity flows from intimacy with God. Whether you are an artist, a teacher, a business leader, or a parent, your creativity is not limited to natural ability but expanded by the Spirit of God.Call to ActionIf this devotional has encouraged you, please consider supporting our ministry:Partner with us on Buy Me a Coffee.Discover more content and resources at RB Christian Radio.We invite you to subscribe and share this Daily Prayer Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and YouTube. Leaving a review helps spread this ministry globally and ensures that others can find encouragement in Christ.Closing EncouragementGod has already filled you with His Spirit of wisdom and understanding. You do not need to create in your own strengtSupport the showThank you for listening! For more inspiring content, visit our main site at RBChristianRadio.net. Explore our ministry services and celebrations at LifeCelebrant.net. If you'd like to support our work, you can now Buy Me a Coffee and help us keep spreading the word. Every bit makes a difference! God bless and see you in the next episode.
While Scott is on vacation he is sharing meditations from the Living Compass app. Here is a beautiful meditation from Westina Matthews, a noted spiritual director, retreat leader, and author. You may know the phrase "catch and release" as it applies to fishing. In this meditation, Westina expands on this phrase as it applies to one's spiritual life. *Westina Matthews, PhD is an author, a public speaker, spiritual director, professor, and workshop/retreat leader whose practice reflects contemplative living through “holy listening”. For the past twelve years, Westina taught contemplative spiritual direction at General Theological Seminary in the Center for Christian Spirituality. Through her thoughtful, poignant, humorous, and authentic writings, she has found a way to connect with audiences around the world. Her most recent books are Soul Food: Nourishing Essays on Contemplative Living and Leadership (2023); This Band of Sisterhood: Black Women Bishops on Race, Faith, and the Church (2021); and Dancing from the Inside Out: Grace-Filled Reflections on Growing Older (2019). After living and writing in New York City for more than 30 years, she is now writing along the banks of the Wilmington River in Savannah, Georgia. https://westinamatthews.com You can find the content of the Living Compass app online at https://app.livingcompass.org You download the app for your phone at: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/living-compass/id6738334257 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.livingcompass&hl=en
In this episode, prophet continues to teach on boosters of spiritual hunger under which he expounds on following hungry people as the third point.Kindly listen and be blessed
This episode explores the 29th saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. Jesus said, "If the body came into being because of spirit, that is a marvel, but if spirit came into being because of the body, that is a marvel of marvels. Yet I marvel at how this great wealth has come to dwell in this poverty." In this saying Jesus is leading people beyond metaphysical and philosophical questions in order to point them to Reality that is beyond ideas. It is common in religious and spiritual circles for people to be dogmatic about their views. That is as true in nonduality as it is in Christianity.View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
Generation Justice brings you two amazing interviews! You will hear from Jeff Pope, the new general manager of KUNM-FM, our beloved community public radio station. And Reverend Mike Angell, the reverend of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Albuquerque. And a doctoral student in Christian Spirituality at the Virginia Theological Seminary. Catch us live at 7 PM on 89.9 FM or visit KUNM.org!
In this episode, prophet teaches on the killers and the boosters of spiritual hunger .Kindly listen and be blessed.
This episode explores the twenty-eighth saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. Jesus said, "I took my stand in the midst of the world, and in flesh I appeared to them. I found them all drunk, and I did not find any of them thirsty. My soul ached for the children of humanity, because they are blind in their hearts and do not see, for they came into the world empty, and they also seek to depart from the world empty. But meanwhile they are drunk. When they shake off their wine, then they will change their ways."View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
In this episode, prophet teaches on spiritual hunger under which expounds on the four kinds of appetite as well as the twokinds of hunger.Kindly listen and be blessed.
This edition of the Tao of Christ is a little different. For one thing it is shorter than usual. Also I am taking a break from the Gospel of Thomas. I will get back to it in a week or so. Today I am reading my blog post for today. I have a blog that I publish once or twice a week called Spiritual Reflections by Marshall Davis. Normally it is just in a written format, but today I thought I would record it in an audio format as well. If you are interested in subscribing to my blog you can find my blog here:https://spiritualreflections.substack.com/View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
jchasedavis.comSupport the show!! - https://www.patreon.com/chasedavisFarmer Bill Provisions - https://farmerbillsprovisions.com/ - code FULLPROOF 20%Legacy Profits Club - https://www.skool.com/legacyprofitsclub/about?ref=1b0c2acb5f0d4781be13ed56801c8fbbGo to ionlayer.com and use code FPT to get $100 off your first kit. “The Next Rob Bell: A Review of John Mark Comer's “Practicing the Way”” - https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/the-next-rob-bell-a-review-of-john-mark-comers-practicing-the-way/https://x.com/tyler_austin55/status/1942243205010862449SummaryIn this episode, Chase Davis and Tyler Cox discuss John Mark Comer's book 'Practicing the Way' and its implications for contemporary Christianity. They explore Comer's approach to spiritual formation, the concept of apprenticeship with Jesus, and the emergent church movement. The conversation critiques Comer's reinterpretation of evangelism and the role of the church, emphasizing the need for a balanced understanding of Christian doctrine and practice.Support the showSign up for the Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/chasedavisFollow Full Proof Theology on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fullprooftheology/Follow Full Proof Theology on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/fullprooftheology/
In this episode, prophet teaches on the seven dimensions of sacrifice as well as the law of life force, vibrations, & energy.Kindly listen and be blessed
This episode is on the 27th saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. It is actually two sayings. One is about finding the Kingdom of God. The other is about seeing the Father. These are both ways of talking about spiritual awakening. He talks about this in the context of the spiritual disciplines of fasting and Sabbath. The first is about true fasting. The second is about true Sabbath-keeping.It reads: "If you do not fast from the world, you will not find the Kingdom. If you do not observe the sabbath as a sabbath you will not see the Father." I understand these sayings as talking about space and time – spacetime - from a nondual perspective. In other words the world is not what you think it is. View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
07/11/2025 - Joshua Spatha -calling the church back to authentic Christian spirituality
In this episode, prophet teaches on sacrifice and the benefits of sacrifice under his teaching on the 7 pillars of christian spirituality.Kindly listen and be blessed
Embodied Faith: on Relational Neuroscience, Spiritual Formation, and Faith
Is society producing more narcissists, or producing more people susceptible to abuse by narcissists? How has narcissism evolved in our internet age?In this episode, we explore the evolving nature of narcissism in the internet age and its impact on church communities. We discuss the shift from authority-based to algorithm-based influence, the rise of performative narcissism, and the attack on empathy.Our guest is Dr. Chuck DeGroat, the Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality and Executive Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI. He is also a licensed and practicing therapist, a spiritual director, author of five books, his newest book, Healing What's Within. He also wrote When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community from Emotional and Spiritual Abuse.Join the launch team for Landscapes of the Soul by filling out this form (hit the title to buy the book). We need you to propel this book forward. Stay Connected: Check out our Attaching to God 6-Week Learning Cohort. Join the Embodied Faith community to stay connected and get posts, episodes, & resources. Support the podcast with a one-time or regular gift (to keep this ad-free without breaking the Holsclaw's bank).
This episode is on saying 26 in the Gospel of Thomas. Jesus said, "You see the sliver in your friend's eye, but you don't see the timber in your own eye. When you take the timber out of your own eye, then you will see well enough to remove the sliver from your friend's eye."This saying in the Gospel of Thomas has a famous parallel in the Gospel of Matthew in the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”The differences between the canonical and noncanonical versions are few but important. They are the difference between duality and nonduality.View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
This episode examines the 25th saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. Jesus said, "Love others like your own soul, protect them like the pupil of your eye.” Among other aspects, it explores how love of others guides social and national morality from a nondual perspective.View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
In this episode, Joel and Rhys talk with returning guest Fr Greg Peters about his most recent book, Anglican Spirituality: An Introduction. The discussion covers the three-fold Rule articulated by Martin Thornton, its relation to mission, the value of poetry in theology and spirituality, and more. Other books by Fr Greg include The Monkhood of All Believers: The Monastic Foundation of Christian Spirituality, Thomas à Kempis: His Life and Spiritual Theology, and The Story of Monasticism: Retrieving an Ancient Tradition for Contemporary Spirituality.You can email us at holycofe@gmail.com or follow us on X at @holycofe1.
In this episode, prophet continues to teach on the second pillar, spiritual laws , under which he teaches on the law of separation and consecration.Kindly listen and be blessed.
In this episode,prophet continues to teach on the second pillar of Christian Spirituality which is Spiritual Laws Kindly listen and be blessed.
This episode explores the 24th saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. His disciples said, "Show us the place where you are, for we must seek it." He said to them, "Anyone here with two ears had better listen! There is light within a person of light, and it shines on the whole world. If it does not shine, it is dark."This saying is about the spiritual search for the Eternal Christ. Jesus disciples say to him, "Show us the place where you are, for we must seek it.” In answering their inquiry Jesus directs them to what the Quakers call the Inner Light. View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
In this episode, Prophet continues to teach on the second pillar: spiritual Laws under which he continues to teach on the spiritual laws that the believer must operate in.Kindly listen and be blessed.
This episode covers the twenty-third saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. Jesus says: "I shall choose you, one from a thousand and two from ten thousand, and they will stand as a single one." Here is a slightly different translation: "I shall choose you, one out of a thousand, and two out of ten thousand, and you shall stand as a single one." This verse deals with the rarity of spiritual awakening and the nature of spiritual awakening. In discussing the nature of awakening I will explore the three spiritual stages of life leading to awakening. View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
What comes to mind when you hear “Holy Spirit”? For some of us, it's confusion, baggage, or maybe just silence. We've either over-sensationalized it or under-taught it. But what if we've missed the depth and presence of the Spirit because we've skipped the beginning of the story? In this conversation, I talk with Margaret Feinberg about rediscovering the Holy Spirit - not just in Acts 2, but from the very beginning, hovering over the chaos in Genesis. Margaret invites us to see the Spirit not as some vague force that shows up only in ecstatic moments, but as a deeply personal, present, creative force that's always been at work - in beauty, in community, in dreams, in discernment, in the ordinary and the extraordinary. We talk about how the Spirit empowers us for creativity, nudges us toward each other, and invites us to live attentive lives. We tell stories of the Spirit's work across cultures and in everyday moments. So join us as we discover that the Holy Spirit is closer than air we breathe.Margaret Feinberg, one of America's most beloved Bible teachers, speaks at churches and conferences and hosts the popular podcast The Joycast. Her books and Bible studies, including Taste and See and More Power to You, have sold more than one million copies and received critical acclaim and national media coverage from the Associated Press, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and more. She was named by Christianity Today as one of fifty women most shaping culture and the church today. Margaret savors life with her husband, Leif, and their superpup, Zoom.Margaret's Book:The God You Need to KnowSubscribe to Our Substack: Shifting CultureConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Friar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Friar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show
In this episode prophet teaches on the secon pillar of Christian spirituality: spiritual laws.Kindly listen and be blessed.
In this, episode , prophet concludes on the first pillar of christian spirituality under, which he expounds on the armour of God . Kindly listen and be blessed.
The twenty-second saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas is the clearest example of Christian nonduality that we have in any gospel. Some of these metaphors in this passage are familiar to us from other sayings in the Gospel of Thomas, as well as similar sayings in the canonical gospels. Others we have not come across before. Jesus saw some babies nursing. He said to his disciples, "These nursing babies are like those who enter the kingdom." They said to him, "Then shall we enter the kingdom as babies?" Jesus said to them, "When you make the two into one, and when you make the inner like the outer and the outer like the inner, and the upper like the lower, and when you make male and female into a single one, so that the male will not be male nor the female be female, when you make eyes in place of an eye, a hand in place of a hand, a foot in place of a foot, an image in place of an image, then you will enter the kingdom."View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
In this episode prophet continues to teach on the 7 pillars Of Christian Spirituality underweight he continues to teach on the armor of God. Kindly listen and be blessed.
In this episode, prophet continues to teach on 7 pillars of christian spirituality under which he teaches on the responsibilities of the christian soldier . He further goes on to give 18 facts about satan .Kindly listen and be blessed.
The twentieth saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas is one that is familiar to Christians who have read the canonical gospels. It is known as the parable of the Mustard Seed. Thomas' version goes like this:The disciples said to Jesus, "Tell us what the kingdom of Heaven is like." He said to them, "It's like a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds, but when it falls on prepared soil, it produces a large plant and becomes a shelter for birds of heaven."At first hearing it may sound identical to the New Testament parable. But listen again. Here is the version found in the Gospel of Luke. Pay attention to the differences.Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”They sound similar, but the small differences make a big difference. Let's look at the differences and what they teach us about the Kingdom of Heaven, which is Jesus' term for Divine Awareness.View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
We are living in a world that seems to be unraveling at the seams - where chaos, polarization, and anxiety have become our default settings - we need a different way of being. Today, I'm sitting down with Eric Clayton, who's been wrestling with the question: What if peace isn't just the absence of conflict, but a transformative way of living? Eric's new book, "Finding Peace Here and Now," isn't another self-help manual. It's an invitation - a roadmap drawn from Ignatian spirituality that challenges us to look deeper. How do we build peace when everything around us seems designed to tear us apart? How do we find stillness in the storm, not by escaping the world, but by showing up differently? We'll explore how peace starts within us, how it's cultivated through compassion, creativity, and a willingness to see the humanity in everyone - even those we disagree with. This isn't about being passive. It's about a strength so profound it can disarm violence without raising a hand. If you're feeling overwhelmed, if you're searching for hope in a world that seems to have lost its way, this conversation is for you. So join us as we walk through what peace really means. Eric Clayton is an award-winning writer and author of three books on Ignatian spirituality and everyday living, including, "Finding Peace Here and Now: How Ignatian Spirituality Leads Us to Healing and Wholeness," "My Life with the Jedi: The Spirituality of Star Wars," and "Cannonball Moments: Telling Your Story, Deepening Your Faith." He has a children's book, "Our Mother, Too: Mary Embraces the World," which was co-authored by Shannon K. Evans releasing this year. Eric is the deputy director for communications at the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States where he manages the award-winning weekly column, "Now Discern This," guest hosts "AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast" and provides filming, writing and audio support for a range of multimedia projects. He has an MA in International Media from American University, a BA in International Studies and Creative Writing from Fairfield University and a graduate certificate in the Ignatian Tradition from Creighton University. He lives in Towson, MD with his family.Eric's Book:Finding Peace Here and NowEric's Recommendation:Changing PlanesSubscribe to Our Substack: Shifting CultureConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show
This week, we share a sermon of sorts offered by Bill Haley to the staff of World Vision's DC office in the wake of the 2016 election. His posture, wisdom, and exhortations remain only-too-relevant these days.The Handout Accompanying Bill's RemarksExplore the Full Archive of Bill's Sermonsinthecoracle.org | @inthecoracleSupport the show
In this episode, prophet teaches and expounds on the 6 areas tthat Satan builds strongholds Kindly listen and be blessed
In this episode we look at the 18th saying of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas. “The disciples said to Jesus, ‘Tell us how our end will be.' Jesus said, ‘Have you discovered the beginning, that you look for the end? For where the beginning is, there will the end be. Blessed is he who will take his place in the beginning; he will know the end and will not experience death.'" View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
I had to take the call. When a PR firm reached out to Wine Talks to ask if Gisela Kreplinger would be an appropriate guest...I jumped all over the opportunity. We all have questions about wine as it is discussed in the Bible. Is it hypocratic? DId Noah become drunk? How is wine to be viewed in today's culture? You will be impressed and inspired by the answers from Dr. Gisela Kreplinger. Gisela Kreglinger might just convince you that wine is much more than a mere beverage; it's a divine conversation starter. Imagine taking a sip and feeling not just the intricate flavors but also a brush of the sacred, a whisper from God, as she puts it. In this episode of Wine Talks, Gisela unravels the profound tapestry of wine's role in theology and spirituality. You'll explore how this ancient drink transcends being a symbol to become a tangible blessing, richly woven into the fabric of biblical narratives—from Noah's resilient grape planting to Jesus' miracle at Cana. Gisela takes us on a fascinating journey through history, explaining how wine's spiritual dimension has been celebrated across civilizations yet diminished in modern consumerism. You'll discover the wisdom imbued in the Lord's Supper and how wine functions as a social connector, a medium of storytelling and confession around the table. This episode challenges us to revive an organic kinship with wine, grounded in its ability to evoke memory and emotion—what Gisela calls "holy tipsiness." Join us for this enlightening dialogue, and you're bound to come away seeing that each glass of wine offers a deeper, divine connection waiting to be savored and cherished.
In this episode we look at the fourteenth saying in the Gospel of Thomas.Jesus said to them, "If you fast, you will give rise to sin for yourselves; and if you pray, you will be condemned; and if you give alms, you will do harm to your spirits. When you go into any land and walk about in the districts, if they receive you, eat what they will set before you, and heal the sick among them. For what goes into your mouth will not defile you, but that which issues from your mouth - it is that which will defile you."This saying deals with the issue of religion, and in particular religious practices or disciplines. Jesus previously dealt with this subject in part in the sixth saying. Here in the fourteenth saying, Jesus goes deeper into the topic of spiritual practices. He mentions the same four practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving and diet. But in this saying he emphasizes the dangers inherent in religious practices. View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
Today we look at the thirteenth saying in the Gospel of Thomas. “Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to someone and tell me whom I am like." Simon Peter said to him, "You are like a righteous angel." Matthew said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher." Thomas said to him, "Master, my mouth is wholly incapable of saying whom you are like." Jesus said, "I am not your master. Because you have drunk, you have become intoxicated from the bubbling spring which I have measured out." And he took him and withdrew and told him three things. When Thomas returned to his companions, they asked him, "What did Jesus say to you?" Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the things which he told me, you will pick up stones and throw them at me; a fire will come out of the stones and burn you up." This saying in the Gospel of Thomas stands in clear contrast with the famous passage in the canonical gospels where Peter gives his famous confession of faith. The Gospel of Mark says: “Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.”In Matthew's gospel Peter gives a longer and more famous answer: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”The difference between the canonical and noncanonical accounts is the difference between traditional Christianity and Christian nonduality. View Marshall's books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marshall-Davis/author/B001K8Y0RU
Today I look at the twelfth saying in the Gospel of Thomas. This saying is different from all the previous ones in that it deals with leadership in the early church. But it also contains some spiritual truth, which we will see in a moment. It reads: “The disciples said to Jesus, ‘We know that you are going to leave us. Who will be our leader?' Jesus said to them, ‘No matter where you are you are to go to James the Just, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being.'"
Join Stasi and her favorite guest – her husband, John – for an encouraging and insightful conversation about living in daily, intimate communion with Jesus. Drawing from John's new book, Experience Jesus. Really., they share personal stories and wisdom from the saints, revealing how God's presence is not just a metaphor but a reality available to all who seek Him. If you're longing for deeper experiences with God and all that is available, this episode is for you. Open your heart and step into the invitation of deeper communion with God.…..SHOW NOTES:…..Go deeper with John's newest book Experience Jesus. Really: Finding Refuge, Strength, and Wonder through Everyday Encounters with God https://amzn.to/4jEwBZ7VERSES: Revelation 3:20 (NLT) – Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) – Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.Ephesians 2:6 (NLT) – And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT) – Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.John 15:4–5 (NLT) – Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.John 6:35 (NLT) – Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.…..Don't Miss Out on the Next Episode – Subscribe for FreeSubscribe using your favorite podcast app:Spotify Podcasts – https://spoti.fi/42SsOipApple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42E0oZ1 Google Podcasts – http://wahe.art/3M81kxLAmazon Music & Audible – https://amzn.to/3M9u6hJ
This is the eleventh saying in the Gospel of Thomas. Listen to what Jesus said: "This heaven will pass away, and the one above it will pass away. The dead are not alive, and the living will not die. In the days when you consumed what is dead, you made it what is alive. When you come to dwell in the light, what will you do? On the day when you were one you became two. But when you become two, what will you do?"This is really a collection of sayings. There are four pairs, but they are all connected. The first one is about two heavens. The second one is about life and death. The third is light and darkness. The fourth is about one and two. I will explore them in these segments.
This is the tenth saying in the Gospel of Thomas. Jesus said, "I have cast fire upon the world, and look, I'm guarding it until it blazes." Another translation puts it slightly different: “I have thrown fire upon the world, and look, I am watching till it blazes.” What does this saying in the Gospel of Thomas mean? Spiritual awakening is fire. The world as we know it is consumed as if by fire.