Podcast appearances and mentions of Dallas Willard

What does your soul actually need for self-care?Psalm 19 gives a surprising answer: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.”In this episode, John Ortberg explores why God's instruction isn't meant to burden us, but to help make us whole. Our souls become divided when our thoughts, desires, values, words, and actions pull in different directions. God's Word shows us what is good and helps bring our lives back into alignment.John also shares how memorizing 1 Corinthians 13 helped him confront anger and resentment in his own life. Sometimes soul care is as simple as taking one piece of God's Word and asking Him to help us actually live it.Go ahead and take the walk, light the candle, or get the massage. But don't miss the deeper invitation:Let God revive your soul.In this episode: Psalm 19 • wholeheartedness • internal integration • 1 Corinthians 13 • Dallas Willard • becoming whole#Psalm19 #JohnOrtberg #SoulCare #SpiritualFormation #Psalms #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith

I talk to men every single week often they tell me their good intentions: "She was in pain and I was there. I was present." And I have to applaud them, because that's certainly a win! But I do want to encourage them that presence without words is not enough. Your silence when she's hurting isn't neutral. Unfortunately, it can feel like you don't care. She may even worry that you're judging her. Sadly, she may even feel that her heart doesn't matter to you. I don't think that's what you mean. I think you may just not know what to say. It can feel awkward and risky and you don't want to look stupid. But here's the thing: Jesus wasn't silent. He spoke. He served people with His words. Not to perform. Not to impress. To help them. So here are the words I often invite men to say. It might be worth you writing these down: "Honey, how are you feeling?" "That seems really hard. How are you doing?" "Is there anything you want to share?" Yes, it'll feel awkward. Yes, she might not respond the way you hope. But what you just communicated is: I care about your heart. Do it again next week. And the week after. It compounds. And if you've been wrong, don't just change the behavior. Use words -- don't be silent. I encourage you to apologize. And I invite you to be specific. Own it. Character is revealed more by what you repent of -- even than what you do (Dallas Willard). Silence after conviction isn't golden. It can actually be cowardice wearing a mask. I know I've been there more than I'd like to admit. Listen to this week's episode. Then, say words to show you care. And if you're a graduate ready to get back in the game, Proactive launches with a special graduate kickoff. Discounted price disappears September 10th. Brand new? delightyourmarriage.com/cc Blessings, DYM Team (we used ai to summarize her podcast)   PS - Want more insight into the health of your marriage? Take our free Marital Health Assessment to find out your Marital Health score. PPS - Ready to start your healing journey? Schedule a free Clarity Call and see if our programs are the right fit for you. PPPS - Here is what (another) recent Coaching Graduate had to say: [before coaching], "My wife would punch her card occasionally thinking it was her duty to perform, which made it worse for both of us. We had slowly lost connection and focus on one another. Life including family, work and ministry took focus on our time and our lives. We were doing everything for everybody else and found ourselves absent of time for each other."[after coaching] "Awareness, understanding, joy, health, compassion, intimacy and godliness Growth of myself and our relationship. Seeing the beauty in my bride. Pursuing it with vigor and not worrying about vulnerability and getting shot down. The program in itself was a major celebration."     Here is an AI-generated summary of today's episode: The Harm Of Silence in Marriage: Why the Words You're Not Saying Are Hurting Your Marriage Silence can be wise. Silence can also be devastating. And if you're a man sitting next to your wife while she's in pain, saying nothing because you "don't know what to say," this episode is for you. Belah gets direct about the difference between powerful silence and painful silence, why men struggle to speak up, and what Jesus modeled about using words to serve the people assigned to you. Over 1,000 Coached Directly DYM recently reviewed the numbers: Belah has personally coached over 1,000 people in just a handful of years. If you're ready for coaching that leads to real transformation, the track record is there. Introducing Proactive: For Graduates and New Clients Maybe you went through a DYM program but fell off the wagon. Maybe the timing wasn't right, the season was hard, and you couldn't fully lock in. Proactive is a brand-new offering: four times less time required than the intensives, but with significant accountability and community. For graduates, there's a discounted price and a dedicated kickoff call. That pricing disappears September 10th. Brand new to DYM? Visit delightyourmarriage.com/cc to talk to a clarity advisor. Silence When You Should Be Speaking Belah hears it constantly from the men she coaches: "She was upset and I was there for her. My presence was enough." Her response: No, it wasn't. When your wife is in pain and you say nothing, here's what she hears: You don't care You're judging her Her feelings don't matter to you The truth? Most men just don't know what to say. They're terrified of looking foolish or making it worse. But silence in that moment is more painful than imperfect words. The Phrases That Change Everything Write these down. Put them somewhere you'll see them: "Honey, how are you feeling?" "That seems really hard. How are you doing?" "Is there anything you want to share?" "I know this is hard for you." Maybe add a touch on the shoulder. It doesn't need to be a monologue. It just needs to show you care about her heart. Will she respond perfectly the first time? Maybe not. Do it again next week anyway. What you're communicating over time is: your feelings matter to me. Jesus Wasn't Silent Jesus was a servant leader. He washed feet. He made breakfast. He spoke, not to perform or to be admired, but to serve the people God assigned to Him. He was assigned to 12. Not the whole crowd. He prayed for them (John 17). He explained parables to them that He didn't explain to the crowds. He rebuked Peter directly: "Get behind me, Satan. You are mindful of the things of man and not the things of God." James says the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, then gentle. But it's not silent. Jesus spoke because speaking was service. Your wife is your first human assignment. Love your neighbor as yourself, and your neighbor is the one under your roof. Why Men Stay Silent (The Fall Guy Illustration) Belah shares a scene from the movie The Fall Guy: a stuntman who can jump through fires but hides himself the moment he feels weak. He breaks off contact with the woman he loves because he can't bear for her to see him as less than strong. His confession later: "I tried so many times to say something, and I couldn't think of the right words. And as I'm trying, the time passes, and then I think it's too late. So I just stay silent." This is the pattern Belah sees in real men, real marriages. They don't want to look silly, weak, or incompetent. And so they say nothing. And the silence becomes a wall. The antidote? Practice. Look a little foolish. Do the Chicken Dance if you have to (yes, Belah used to make men do that on coaching calls). Because if you're not willing to do something new, nothing will change. Character Is Revealed by What You Repent Of Dallas Willard: "Character is often revealed more by what you repent of than what you do." Belah shares a story from her husband's pickup soccer game. A skilled player accidentally stepped on her, hard. What set him apart from every other man on that field? He came over, shook her hand, and said specifically: "I didn't realize it was you. Instinct kicked in. I was too rough. I apologize." That apology made her respect him far more than if he'd just treated her gently in the first place. Owning it is strength, not weakness. The SHORE Apology: Be Specific If you're not specific in your apology, the other person doesn't even know if you understand why they're hurt. A vague "I'm sorry" leaves them wondering: does he even know what he did? Was it your tone? Your timing? Your words? A specific phrase? Belah shares her own example: she brought something up at the wrong time in someone's life. The content wasn't wrong. The tone wasn't wrong. The timing was wrong, and it caused pain. She had to own that specifically. When Silence IS Powerful Not all silence is bad. Sometimes you need to stop talking so the Holy Spirit can do His work. In marriage conflict, the back-and-forth cycle (text after text, argument after argument) often keeps both people justified in their reactions. He does something that makes her feel unsafe, she disrespects him, and it spirals. But if you pause, if you walk yourself into calmness and stop needing the last word, you create space for conviction. The Holy Spirit can work in silence. You don't have to win the argument. You just have to stop feeding the fire. Your Assignment Write down these phrases and use one this week: "How are you feeling?" "That seems hard. How are you doing?" If you owe an apology, go be specific. What exactly did you do? Name it. Practice looking a little silly. New behavior is awkward at first, like learning to ride a bike. Know when to speak and when to be silent. Speak when she's hurting. Be silent when the argument is spiraling. Your marriage is worth the awkwardness. Your legacy depends on it. (Ai helped us summarize the content of the podcast.)

Are you relying on your own strength and effort to earn your way through life, or are you ready to surrender to the grace that only Jesus provides? This week on Off Script, Neil and Scott sit down to unpack what happens when we trade human effort for radical dependence on Christ. Scott opens up about a hilarious morning mishap that set the tone for a deep conversation on the reality of spiritual warfare, the trap of cultural laziness, and why worship is actually a weapon in our daily battles. From the tangible, life-changing impact of Southland's mentoring program to the vital distinction between earning God's favor and putting in holy effort, this episode challenges us to stop acting like spiritual consumers and start stepping into the battle as a united army. The ChallengeThis week, audit where you are putting in effort versus where you are trying to earn. Take one area of your life, whether it's parenting, marriage, or your spiritual habits, where you've been leaning on your own strength or slipping into laziness, and choose to sit at the feet of Jesus first before trying to fix it yourself. Hosts: Neil Gregory and Scott Nickell What We Discuss Scott's early morning shoe-and-sock mishap and the realities of getting ready at the office The origin and purpose of First Wednesday Worship as an act of defiant spiritual warfare Encouraging statistics and real-life impact from Southland's school mentoring initiative How showing up consistently over time produces long-term, tangible life transformation Reframing fatigue and understanding how to find true spiritual rest in Christ alone Navigating the story of Mary and Martha: Why ordering your heart matters more than ordering your home Pushing back against a culture of laziness and recognizing work as an intentional, God-given virtue Dallas Willard's quote on grace: Why the Gospel is opposed to earning, not effort Shifting from consumer Christianity to a wartime mindset: Building an army, not just an audience ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Dr. Jim Wilder has been thinking about the relationship between brain science and spiritual formation since before most people knew the question existed. He trained under one of the inventors of the EEG machine, spent years working alongside Dallas Willard, and has spent decades building what he calls the Life Model — a unified account of what it looks like to grow up into the likeness of Christ, neurologically and spiritually. This conversation is an hour inside that work.Michael and Jim talk about why the right brain runs faster than the conscious mind — and what that means for every Christian who has tried to think their way into a changed life. They talk about why joy isn't a rare gift but the baseline the brain was designed to run on, and what happens when it isn't. They discuss identity, shame, and what it means for the brain to perceive itself only through how other people see us. And Jim tells the story of a professor who looked at a kid who couldn't spell and said, "You might want to consider being a writer." Eighteen books later, that moment still explains everything.Support the showENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:- Follow us on YouTube - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS- Like us on Facebook- Follow us on Instagram & Twitter- Follow Michael on Twitter- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!

What happens when God shows you something about yourself you don't want to see?Our instinct is often to defend.Explain.Distract ourselves.Push it away.But what if the uncomfortable truth is actually an invitation to transformation?In this reflection on Psalm 32, John Ortberg explores the relationship between pain, honesty, forgiveness, and genuine change.John begins personally, describing a conversation in which a longtime friend helped him recognize uncomfortable patterns of comparison, envy, and competition in himself.Instead of defending himself, John is learning to say:“Yep. That's me. God, I need Your help.”Psalm 32 describes the blessed person as someone “in whose spirit is no deceit.”Then John tells the extraordinary story of Tom Tarrants, a violent white supremacist and KKK terrorist who was imprisoned in Mississippi.In prison, Tarrants encountered the words of Jesus:“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”His life began to change.The man who once participated in racist terrorism eventually devoted himself to forgiveness, racial reconciliation, and serving the very people he once hated.How far can somebody fall and still be changed by God?Maybe much further than we imagine.So when your conscience shows you something today, don't immediately run.Don't defend.Don't hide.Ask:God, help me see the truth about myself.And then:Would You change me?In this episode:- Psalm 32 and honest confession- What happens when we become defensive- Dallas Willard on pain and reality- Why hiding the truth fragments us internally- David, Psalm 51, and forgiveness- The story of Tom Tarrants- Radical transformation from hatred to reconciliation- What it means to have “no deceit” in your spirit- How to respond to conviction- Why God's grace can change anyoneScriptures: Psalm 32 • Psalm 51 • Psalm 1 • Matthew 16:26 • 2 Samuel 11–12#Psalm32 #JohnOrtberg #Forgiveness #Psalms #Transformation #SpiritualFormation #Confession #ChristianFaith #Grace #BibleStudy

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

How is it with your soul?It's probably not a question anyone else will ask you today.But it may be one of the most important questions you can ask yourself.In this reflection on the Psalms, John Ortberg draws from Renovation of the Heart to explore what the soul actually is and why its health affects everything else in our lives.Dallas Willard describes the soul as an inner stream of water that brings strength, direction, and harmony to the rest of our being.That's why the Psalms repeatedly use the language of water:“My soul thirsts for You.”“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You.”“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.”John then tells the story of a beautiful village whose life depended upon a crystal-clear stream. When the unseen keeper of that stream was dismissed, everything seemed fine...for a while.Then the water began to change.Eventually, the entire village felt the effects.Our souls can work the same way.We can neglect what's happening beneath the surface while remaining busy with everything that seems more urgent.But eventually, everything flows downstream.So ask yourself today:How is it with my soul?The stream is your soul.And you are its keeper.In this episode: What is the soul?  Why the Psalms are the great “soul book”  Dallas Willard on the inner life  Why the Psalms repeatedly use water imagery  The soul as an inner stream  How the health of your soul affects everything else  Why unseen spiritual work matters  The parable of the keeper of the stream  What happens when we neglect our souls  How to begin tending your inner life Scriptures: Psalm 121:7 • Psalm 63:1 • Psalm 42:1–2 • Psalm 46:4#JohnOrtberg #Soul #Psalms #DallasWillard #SpiritualFormation #Prayer #ChristianFaith #InnerLife #BibleStudy #SpiritualHealthSuggested YouTube Chapters00:00 How Is It With Your Soul? 00:33 What Is the Soul? 00:59 The Psalms: The Great Soul Book 01:16 Who Is the Keeper of Your Soul? 01:34 My Soul Thirsts for God 01:51 As the Deer Pants for Water 02:20 The Soul Is an Inner Stream 02:43 How Healthy Is Your Soul Today? 03:07 What a Healthy Soul Looks Like 03:34 Where Does Your Soul Get Its Life? 03:48 The Keeper of the Stream 04:11 A Beautiful Village in the Alps 04:35 The Old Man Nobody Noticed 04:59 The Unseen Work of Tending the Stream 05:25 What Happens When the Stream Is Neglected 05:39 At First, Nobody Noticed 06:02 The Whole Village Begins to Suffer 06:11 The Life of the Village Depends on the Stream 06:35 The Stream Is Restored 06:41 You Are the Keeper of Your Soul

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

Nathan talks with Jon Bailey, Renovaré Ministry Team member and new author of the book Dwelling in Christ (first book in this season's Renovaré Book Club). The two discuss how Jon came to experience and write about the never-ending journey of transformation in Christ.

What do you do with the mess inside your mind?In this reflection on Psalm 102, John Ortberg explores how the Psalms can become a kind of divine therapy, teaching us to bring our actual thoughts, emotions, fears, and beliefs honestly into the presence of God.Drawing from Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb, the ABCDE framework associated with Martin Seligman, and insights from Walter Brueggemann and Dallas Willard, John shows us a practical way to process what's happening inside us with God.Psalm 102 doesn't clean up the mess.The psalmist pours it out.Fear. Despair. Exaggeration. Loneliness. Anger.And then comes the turn:"But You, Lord..."We bring God what we're actually thinking and feeling, then allow the truth of who He is to reshape the way we see our circumstances.In this episode:- Psalm 102 and lament- What "divine therapy" might look like- Why our inner lives rarely match what we present publicly- Lori Gottlieb's Maybe You Should Talk to Someone- The ABCDE framework- Why lament Psalms use exaggeration and hyperbole- Walter Brueggemann on Psalm 102- Bringing truth to our thoughts- Dallas Willard's "Eternity is now in session"- Walking through an ordinary day with the Eternal GodScripture: Psalm 102#psalm102   #JohnOrtberg #Psalms #Prayer #MentalHealth #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #DallasWillard #Lament

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

This is part 9 in the series. (Part 8 was the episode on 14 May 2026). We're beginning our discussion of the chapter called "War." Chapter 4. We discuss sub-chapters starting at p. 74 of chapter 4, hitting the following: "The Vietnam War generation and class" and "the counterculture." We stop at the top of p. 82. This is a continuation of a transformative reading and fair use of Chris Caldwell's "The Age of Entitlement: America Since the Sixties" published by Simon and Schuster in 2020. We'd like to thank Chris Caldwell for writing it, Simon and Schuster for making it available, and encourage you to purchase your own physical copy of the book so that you can follow along. Please support brick and mortar book dealers, you local book dealers. I'd like to thank my former political philosophy student Matt Stone (Phil M03: Social and Political Philosophy at Moorpark College, Spring 2008) for purchasing my copy of the book for me and supporting TRP podcast. Let's foster a culture that values good authors and good books, physical books, and honors and rewards publishers for making those books available for us to read and to think about. Please support this author and this publisher. Also, support your local brick and mortar book dealer, dealers in physical books. This episode was filmed Thursday 13 August 2026 years after Jesus in the backyard of my long-time (nearly a quarter of a century) Epistemology mentor Dr. Doug Geivett (PhD, USC under Dallas Willard), a student himself of the famous late-great Republican professor, the late-great Dallas Willard of USC's Philosophy Department. The Republican Professor is a pro-political-phenomeonology-done-right podcast. The Republican Professor is produced and hosted by Dr. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D.

What if the goal today isn't to make your life extraordinary?What if it's to learn how to see the extraordinary gift hidden inside the ordinary?In this reflection on Psalm 104, John Ortberg explores how modern life has changed the way we see the world around us. We know more than ever about how nature works, yet we may have lost something along the way: our ability to experience creation as filled with meaning, wonder, and the presence of God.Drawing on Charles Taylor and Dallas Willard, John invites us to recover the eyes of "saints, poets, and artists" and rediscover what Willard called "the well-kept secret of the ordinary."Birds sing.Trees grow.Wild animals drink.Leviathan frolics.People go to work.And apparently God really likes hyraxes.Psalm 104 invites us to look again and recognize that ordinary creation is overflowing with the generosity, creativity, and goodness of God.In this episode:Psalm 104 and the wonder of creationCharles Taylor and the "immanent frame"Recovering the enchantment of realityDallas Willard and the secret of ordinary lifeWhy God made the hyraxSeeing creation as more than something to useThe love-letter analogyReceiving your life as a giftFinding God in everyday momentsScriptures:Psalm 104Genesis 1:26–27#Psalm104 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #CharlesTaylor #Psalms #Creation #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Wonder

Matt and Michael open with the paradox of getting your ass kicked and somehow feeling more alive because of it. Matt shares his realization that there is no "there" to arrive at. The car ride IS the destination. Flat tires, closed restaurants, broken grinders. That's not the interruption of life. That IS life. Then things get deep. They wrestle with Dawkins vs. Lennox on justice and whether the universe has a moral order. They explore why science itself presupposes God, why atheism requires its own kind of faith, and why Lennox's answer about morality is devastating. All men are created in the image of God, even the ones who don't believe in Him. The back half dives into inversion. How we try to make reality conform to us instead of conforming ourselves to reality. They tackle sex, polyamory, pornography, and C.S. Lewis's insight from The Abolition of Man. If you optimize for the purpose of a thing, you destroy the thing itself. Optimize for pleasure, and you end up in misery. Cheers y'all

“The key then, to loving God is to see Jesus, to hold him before the mind with as much fullness and clarity as possible… First, we teach his beauty, truth, and power while he lived among us as one human being among others. The content of the Gospels should be explained and brought to life in such a way that the Gospels become a permanent presence and possession of the mind of the disciple.”—Dallas Willard, The Divine ConspiracyFriends, we return to a simple question: Who and what is most shaping our becoming?These are the evocative questions Professor Cara Murphy invites us to consider as we allow our hearts to be nourished ever more deeply through the four Gospels of the New Testament.If we become what we behold, then there is no greater invitation than to keep Jesus before us—not merely as an idea to understand or a theology to master, but as the living Christ whose life continually forms our own.In this conversation with Cara, we wonder together about the Gospels—not simply as books we read, but as the place where we learn to live with Jesus. We explore the distinct beauty of each Gospel writer, the way Jesus leans toward people with unhurried attention, and why returning to His life again and again is the steady work of apprenticeship.What might change if the Gospels became less of a destination we occasionally visit and more of a home in which we daily dwell?How might our relationships, our suffering, our pace, and even our imaginations be reshaped as we keep Jesus before the eyes of our hearts?And what if, all along, we discovered that as we turn our gaze toward Him, He has already been lovingly turning His gaze toward us?We are in this together.It's all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom,Morgan & Cherie

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

Nate speaks with retired psychiatrist Dr. Hilary Johnson about how the indivisibility of body, mind, and spirit means that wellness is, at some level, always a spiritual endeavor—empowered by God in and through loving relationships.

What does it really cost to follow Jesus?In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of Jesus' most misunderstood invitations: "Count the cost." Drawing from Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart, he explains why discipleship is not an emotional decision but a thoughtful one. More importantly, he asks a question many of us rarely consider: What is the cost of not following Jesus?Discover why surrender isn't the loss of life, but the pathway to the greatest treasure you'll ever find.

What if doing whatever you want doesn't actually make you free?In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of Dallas Willard's most profound ideas from The Renovation of the Heart: true freedom isn't the ability to satisfy every desire. It's becoming the kind of person who desires what is good and has the strength to live it out.Discover why self-denial is not the enemy of freedom, how envy quietly steals our joy, and why the path Jesus offers leads to the deepest kind of human flourishing.

Dallas Willard's Insights on Discipleship: A Review of 'The Scandal of the Kingdom' In this Renew book review, John Whitaker explores Dallas Willard's posthumous work, 'The Scandal of the Kingdom,' which dissects the parables of Jesus to offer a deeper understanding of discipleship and life in the Kingdom of God. Released in 2024, the book builds on Willard's profound teaching legacy, focusing on the faith of Christ and how the parables challenge our preconceived notions. John sheds light on the book's key themes and shares thought-provoking quotes, making it a must-read for those interested in spiritual growth and discipleship.   Download the free RENEW.org App - https://renew.org/renew-app/  Visit RENEW: https://renew.org/   Check out the following from RENEW.org: Events: https://renew.org/resources/events/ Videos: https://renew.org/media/videos/ Podcasts: https://renew.org/media/podcasts/ Articles: https://renew.org/articles/ Free eBooks: https://renew.org/resources/free-ebooks/ Books: https://renew.org/resources/books/ Audiobooks: https://renew.org/resources/audiobooks/ Sermon Tools: https://renew.org/resources/sermon-tools/ Job Board: https://jobs.renew.org/ Renew University: https://renewuniversity.org/ Real Life Theology Conversations: https://renew.org/rltc/ Sign up for our newsletter: https://renew.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/

Is Christianity about becoming a better version of yourself?In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of Dallas Willard's most challenging and hope-filled ideas from The Renovation of the Heart: the ruined life isn't meant to be enhanced, but replaced. Discover why self-denial isn't about self-hatred, why Jesus calls us to lose our lives in order to find them, and how true transformation goes far beyond self-improvement.If you've ever wondered what Jesus really meant by "deny yourself," this conversation offers a hopeful vision of the new life God desires to create in every believer.

This week we're revisiting our conversation with Pastor Dave Ripper about how Dallas Willard experienced Scripture … that God used to form him in Christ-likeness

What if the greatest obstacle to spiritual growth isn't what has happened to you, but what is happening within you?In this episode, John Ortberg continues exploring Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart by examining one of Christianity's most misunderstood ideas: remorse. Discover why the Bible distinguishes between the wounds we've suffered and the wrong we've committed, and why genuine remorse isn't meant to produce shame, but lasting transformation.Healing begins when we stop hiding from the truth and discover the grace of God waiting on the other side.

John explains what makes a soul lost and how the truth about ourselves is the beginning of being found.In this episode (2022), John Ortberg continues exploring Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart by examining one of the greatest barriers to spiritual growth: self-deception. Discover why the human heart naturally resists uncomfortable truths, what Jesus meant by "losing your soul," and how learning to love the truth becomes the starting point for genuine transformation.God doesn't reveal the truth to shame us. He reveals it so He can heal us.

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

What if your irritation is trying to tell you something?In this episode, John Ortberg explores one of Dallas Willard's most practical insights from The Renovation of the Heart: the everyday emotions and reactions we often dismiss may actually be warning lights revealing the true condition of our souls.Discover why denial is one of humanity's greatest spiritual obstacles, how God's grace exposes what needs healing, and why the path to transformation begins with honest self-awareness rather than self-condemnation.

Is self-esteem really the key to a better life?For years, psychologists believed increasing self-esteem would solve many of our greatest personal and social problems. But after decades of research, the evidence pointed in a different direction. In this episode, John Ortberg explores what Dallas Willard teaches in The Renovation of the Heart about the deeper human problem and why lasting transformation begins with truth, humility, and God's mercy.Discover why the Christian path isn't about thinking more highly of yourself, but about receiving the grace that makes genuine change possible.

Is self-care selfish? Or is it something Jesus actually invites us to practice?In this conversation, John Ortberg sits down with psychiatrist Dr. Rick Blackmon to explore Dallas Willard's vision of soul care from The Renovation of the Heart. Together they discuss emotional health, burnout, self-denial, and why understanding yourself is the first step toward caring for yourself well.Discover why true self-care isn't about self-indulgence, but about cultivating the kind of life that allows you to love God and serve others with greater joy, wisdom, and endurance.

What does it really mean to live by the Spirit?In this episode, John Ortberg explores Dallas Willard's understanding of the spiritual life through The Renovation of the Heart. Discover why every person is both physical and spiritual, what makes the human will so remarkable, and why Jesus teaches us to pray, "Your will be done."If you've ever wondered what surrender actually looks like in everyday life, this conversation offers a practical and deeply biblical vision of depending on God rather than simply relying on yourself.

What does it really mean to be a person?In this episode, John Ortberg explores Dallas Willard's powerful framework for understanding the human person through The Renovation of the Heart. Discover how the heart, mind, body, relationships, and soul work together to form the whole person, and why lasting spiritual transformation involves far more than changing behavior.If you've ever felt divided, fragmented, or like different parts of your life are pulling in opposite directions, this conversation offers a hopeful vision of becoming whole through the transforming work of God.

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

Can you experience God's peace while still struggling with anxiety?In this special conversation, John Ortberg is joined by his daughter, Laura Turner, to explore one of the deepest themes in Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart: peace. Together they discuss why peace is more than the absence of worry, how acceptance differs from giving up, and why receiving God's love often matters more than getting everything right.If you've ever wondered whether anxiety means you're failing spiritually, this honest conversation offers hope, wisdom, and a fresh perspective on what it means to live at peace with God, yourself, and others.

What do you do when your life feels like it's falling apart?In Episode 4 of our Become New series, John Ortberg continues exploring Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart by examining one of Scripture's most encouraging promises: "In Christ all things hold together." Even when our relationships, health, finances, or emotions feel fractured, Jesus offers a deeper kind of stability that circumstances cannot destroy.Discover how God's vision of wholeness, or shalom, provides lasting hope in a fragmented world and why spiritual formation is ultimately about becoming whole in Christ.Continue the journey as we walk through The Renovation of the Heart together.

Fear dominates much of modern life. But Jesus offers something deeper than optimism.In Episode 3 of our Become New series (2022), John Ortberg continues exploring Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart, asking why every human solution eventually falls short of changing the human heart. From ancient philosophy to politics, psychology, and self-improvement, people have searched for lasting hope. Jesus offers something radically different: transformation from the inside out.Discover why Dallas Willard called Jesus the greatest revolutionary in history and how becoming His apprentice changes not only individual lives but the world itself.Follow along as we continue this 15-part journey through The Renovation of the Heart.

In Episode 2 of our Become New series, John Ortberg continues exploring Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart by unpacking Proverbs 4:23: "Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Together, we examine why our responses to life often expose the deeper formation taking place within us and how Jesus invites us into lasting transformation from the inside out.If you've ever wondered why you keep reacting the same way, despite your best intentions, this conversation offers a hopeful framework for understanding spiritual formation and learning to let Christ shape your heart.Subscribe and follow along as we continue this 15-part journey through The Renovation of the Heart.

What if lasting spiritual transformation isn't about trying harder?In this opening episode of our Become New series, John Ortberg introduces Dallas Willard's classic The Renovation of the Heart and explores Jesus' invitation to become people whose lives are transformed from the inside out. Rather than focusing on behavior modification, this conversation examines the deeper renovation of the heart, the nature of spiritual thirst, and the promise of living water that satisfies our deepest longings.If you've ever felt stuck, spiritually dry, or frustrated by repeated attempts to change yourself, this episode offers a hopeful vision of how genuine transformation happens through life with Jesus.Subscribe for the rest of this 15-part journey through The Renovation of the Heart as we explore what it truly means to become new.

At Redeemer, we take seriously Jesus' call to "Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Apprenticeship to Jesus is not a one time decision, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus as our master-teacher. Since the goal of the Christian life is maturity in Jesus, apprenticeship must be deep and holistic, transforming the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and vocational parts of men and women. Apprenticeship to Jesus is learning to practice the way of Jesus in our homes, relationships, neighborhoods, and jobs. We believe Christlikeness is cultivated as we implement spiritual practices, live in community with other believers, and submit to the Word and the Spirit. We agree with Dallas Willard who said, "that the gospel is opposed to earning, not effort." As we move towards cultivating a life of loving God and people, we trust Christ will mature us into his likeness. https://redeemerwichita.church/

On Life With God, Nathan has a fascinating conversation with author Mark Buchanan about his WWII novel, What Is Left of the Night—why he wrote it, what he learned, and how it offers a vision of kingdom living we can carry into present-day crises.

If God already knows everything...why pray?In this reflection on Psalm 74, John Ortberg wrestles with one of the oldest questions about prayer.Can our prayers actually matter?Drawing on insights from Walter Brueggemann and Dallas Willard, John explores the difference between the ancient philosophical idea of the "Unmoved Mover" and the God revealed in Scripture—the God who listens, responds, and is deeply moved by His people.This episode explores:- Psalm 74 and communal lament- Psalms of orientation and disorientation- Why the church needs lament- God's unchanging character and responsive heart- Dallas Willard's "Most Moved Mover"- Why your prayers matterScriptures:- Psalm 74#psalm74  #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #WalterBrueggemann #DallasWillard #Lament #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #God

What if the cure for loneliness isn't finding more people... but learning to be alone?In this reflection on Psalm 139, John Ortberg explores one of the deepest realities of being human: our longing to be fully known and never abandoned.Drawing on the wisdom of Dallas Willard, John explains why we spend so much energy avoiding solitude—and why silence may actually become the place where we discover God's loving presence most deeply.This episode explores:Psalm 139 and being fully known by God- The difference between aloneness and loneliness- Why we distract ourselves with constant noise- Dallas Willard's "strange cure for loneliness"- Romans 8 and God's inseparable love- How solitude leads to deeper communityScriptures:- Psalm 139- Romans 8:35–39- Hebrews 13:5#Psalm139 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #Loneliness #Solitude #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #GodKnowsYou

Who really gets the good stuff?In this reflection on Psalm 113, John Ortberg explores what Dallas Willard called the Law of Inversion—one of the great themes running through the entire Bible.Again and again, God overturns the world's prestige system.The first become last.The overlooked become honored.The humble are lifted up.From Abel to Jacob, Hannah to Mary, the Beatitudes to Jesus washing His disciples' feet, Scripture tells one remarkable story: God's kingdom operates differently.This episode explores:- Psalm 113 and God's care for the overlooked- The Law of Inversion- The world's pecking order- Hannah's prayer and Mary's Magnificat- The Beatitudes- Jesus' upside-down kingdom- Why every person has access to "the good stuff"Scriptures:- Psalm 113- Genesis- Exodus 15- 1 Samuel 2- Luke 1- Matthew 5- John 13- Philippians 2#Psalm113 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #KingdomOfGod #Beatitudes #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Humility

Is denial always a bad thing?In this reflection on Psalm 39, John Ortberg explores one of the Bible's strangest prayers:"Look away from me."Why would anyone pray that?Drawing on insights from Dallas Willard, Søren Kierkegaard, and Greg Ten Elshof, John explains the surprising difference between healthy denial and unhealthy denial, and why God often reveals truth gradually rather than all at once.This episode explores:- Psalm 39 and radical honesty- Why Job, Peter, and Jonah wanted distance from God- Healthy vs. unhealthy denial- Self-deception and procrastination- Why Jesus said, "You cannot bear it now"- The grace of gradual transformationScriptures:- Psalm 39- Job 7- Luke 5- Jonah 1- John 16#psalm39  #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #SelfDeception #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Truth #Healing

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Dr. Keas Keasler about his book, Kingdom Apprenticeship – Dallas Willard’s Formational Theology and Missional Vision A Groundbreaking Analysis of Dallas Willard’s Theology of Spiritual Formation Dallas Willard's formational theology begins with the claim that the aim of God in human history is the formation of a community of loving persons apprenticed to Jesus—and ends with the promise that such apprenticeship prepares us to share in God's governance of the cosmos. This apprenticeship to Jesus is the path to human flourishing, the renewal of the church, and the healing of the world.  In Kingdom Apprenticeship, Keas Keasler offers the first comprehensive study of Willard's theology of spiritual formation. He argues that while the three D's of disciples, discipleship, and disciplines made Willard famous, his formational theology is much deeper than that. Willard's unique grammar of transformation is grounded in ordinary life, for it is in our present reality that we are trained to participate in God's eternal purposes. Mining Willard's philosophical works, theological writings, recorded lectures, and unpublished papers, Keasler shows: Willard’s theology serves as a practical curriculum for spiritual growth, offering a remedy for the character crisis we see in the church and in society. Apprenticeship to Jesus is both for growth in Christlikeness and preparation for reigning with God in the fullness of his kingdom. Spiritual formation is not secondary or supplementary to God's mission; it is its very strategy. Against the drift of modern theology into abstraction, Willard calls the church back to a clinical theology—one aimed at the transformation of character through an interactive life with God. Formation and mission, contemplation and action, inner renewal and outward vocation—all are inseparably linked in Willard's vision. Kingdom Apprenticeship offers a fresh and urgent call: to recover apprenticeship to Jesus as the heart of the Christian life—and the hope of the world. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Recent Episodes: 1. Formation Writers Guild 2. Conversation with Liz Hall and Kelly Kapic 3. No Condemnation 4. Spiritual World 5. Conversation with Dr. Kelly Flanagan The post Conversation with Keas Keasler appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

Is the opposite of fear really courage?In this reflection on Psalm 27, John Ortberg offers a surprising answer:No. The opposite of fear is God's presence.Drawing on the wisdom of Dallas Willard, John explains why Jesus could repeatedly tell His followers, "Do not be afraid," and what that invitation actually means.This episode explores:- Psalm 27 and trusting God- Why courage isn't the ultimate antidote to fear- The difference between emotional states and character traits- The powerful "Then what?" exercise- A practical prayer for anxious moments- Learning to be hidden in God's presenceScriptures:- Psalm 27- Exodus- Esther- Matthew 1- 1 Samuel 17#Psalm27 #JohnOrtberg #Fear #TrustGod #Prayer #DallasWillard #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #Anxiety

What if faith was never meant to be a private belief you keep separate from the rest of your life?In week 5 of James: Faith At Work, we sit with one of the more difficult and controversial passages in the New Testament: James 2:14-26. James asks, to paraphrase, "What good is a claim of faith while ignoring a brother or sister in need?" He presses against a faith that separates us from our neighbors, from ourselves, and from God--faith that merely confesses the truth, all while leaving daily life untouched.This teaching reflects on James' warning about dead faith, his examples of Abraham and Rahab, and the deeper beauty underneath the warning: living faith is not performance. It is not self-justification. It is the whole person moving toward Christ. Faith is brought to fullness as the implanted word works through us in love, mercy, provision, and ordinary obedience.Questions for Reflection:What areas of my life have I separated from my faith?How is my faith at work in my daily life and community?What would tomorrow look like if I responded to faith at work within me?Scripture References: James 2:14-26, James 1:18, James 1:21, James 1:27, Matthew 25:34-40, John 13:35, Genesis 15:6, Genesis 22, Romans 3:28, Deuteronomy 6:4, Philippians 2:12-13, Psalm 107:1-9Voices/Quotes: Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James; Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy; Eugene Peterson, The Message and A Long Obedience in the Same Direction; Martin Luther; The BibleProject; Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary RadicalsSermon Notes & Liturgy | James: Faith at Work---Tired of consumer Christianity? So are we.Come rest in Jesus. Sundays at 10:10AM642 Brookhurst Dr, Dallas, TX 75218.Christ City Church is a faith family following Jesus together in east Dallas.Learn more at www.christcity.lifeFollow us on...IG: @christcitylifeX: @christcitylifeTH: @christcitylifeFB: christcitychurchdallasYT: @christcitylife

What actually makes someone a good person?In this reflection on Psalm 51, John Ortberg explores one of the most important differences between religion and the teaching of Jesus.David doesn't simply pray,"Forgive my sins."He prays,"Create in me a clean heart."Drawing on insights from Dallas Willard and the remarkable story of Joni Eareckson Tada, John explains why God is after something far deeper than behavior modification. He wants transformation from the inside out.This episode explores:- Psalm 51 and David's prayer- The difference between behavior and the heart- Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount- Why outward obedience isn't enough- Joni Eareckson Tada's powerful insight about sin- Becoming the kind of person who naturally desires what is goodScriptures:- Psalm 51- Matthew 5- Matthew 23- 2 Samuel 11–12#Psalm51 #JohnOrtberg #JoniEarecksonTada #DallasWillard #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #HeartTransformation #SermonOnTheMount

We're talking about the motivation of the Founding Fathers and Framers of the Constitution. It's a theory of the mentor of my Con Law mentor, himself an historian at Claremont Graduate School in the 1960s who taught my Con Law mentor Dr. Michael M. Uhlmann, Ph.D., LLB. Happy 250th Anniversary of 'Murica. You're in for a treat . This is part 1 of multiple. This episode broaches the topic of what explained and motivated the Founders of America and Framers of the Constitution. "It is my argument that the lust for the psychic reward of fame, honor, glory, after 1776 becomes a key ingredient in the behavior of Washington and his greatest contemporaries." So ends Adair's first section in this speech which we cover today. We're going to make a fair use, do a transformative reading of the this selection, "Fame and the Founding Fathers," the speech Dr. Adair gave in Kansas City to the Organization of American Historians in the mid-1960s. It's chapter 1 in a volume by the same title and made available by Liberty Fund, Inc., of Indianapolis, Indiana. Support publishers when they make something worth reading. Support the publisher and throw some bidness their way. Support your brick and mortar book dealer. This episode was filmed Monday 6 July 2026 years after Jesus in the backyard of my long-time (nearly a quarter of a century) Epistemology mentor Dr. Doug Geivett (PhD, USC under Dallas Willard), a student himself of the famous late-great Republican professor, the late-great Dallas Willard of USC's Philosophy Department. The Republican Professor is a pro-correctly-and-adequately-articulating-the-major-influences-on-American-politics podcast. Therefore, welcome, through his writing, Dr. Douglas Adair, Ph.D., of the history department at Claremont Graduate School in the 1960s. The Republican Professor is produced and hosted by Dr. Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. Warmly, Lucas J. Mather, Ph.D. The Republican Professor Podcast The Republican Professor Newsletter on Substack https://therepublicanprofessor.substack.com/ https://www.therepublicanprofessor.com/podcast/ https://www.therepublicanprofessor.com/articles/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRepublicanProfessor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRepublicanProfessor Twitter: @RepublicanProf Instagram: @the_republican_professor

How does God actually guide His people?In this reflection on Psalm 32, John Ortberg explores one of Scripture's most comforting promises:"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go."Drawing on insights from Dallas Willard and the story of Peter in the book of Acts, John explains the difference between mechanical control and personal guidance—and why God desires relationship more than coercion.This episode explores:- Psalm 32 and God's guidance- Mechanical vs. personal guidance- Learning to recognize God's voice- The Holy Spirit and spiritual discernment- Peter's vision in Acts 10- Why discovered truth often changes us more than presented truthScriptures:- Psalm 32- Acts 10#Psalm32 #JohnOrtberg #DallasWillard #Guidance #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #BibleStudy #HolySpirit #Discernment

In this episode, Brandon explores how religious, political, and cultural purity codes can become a trap—turning morality into anxiety management and faithfulness into control. Through a Zen parable, John 9, Dallas Willard, and original blessing, he invites us beyond sin obsession and into the deeper morality of love, life, healing, and freedom.

We invite you to enter a time of prayer with Nathan Foster as he works through the Litany of Humility's three movements and expands them with his own meditations. The prayer begins, “O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, hear me.”