Podcast appearances and mentions of Frederick Buechner

Is it possible laughter could be a form of prayer?In this joyful and surprisingly profound teaching on Psalm 126, John Ortberg explores joy, humor, delight, neuroscience, and why laughter may be far more spiritual than many people realize.Why do children laugh so much more than adults? Why does spontaneous laughter feel healing? And what does it mean that God Himself laughs?This episode explores:- Psalm 126 and joy- Why laughter matters spiritually- The neuroscience of laughter- Spontaneous vs. social laughter- Joy, humility, and human connection- Sarah laughing at God's promise- Why the Gospel itself can feel wonderfully absurdFeaturing reflections from:- Eugene Peterson- C.S. Lewis- Carl Jung- Frederick BuechnerScriptures:- Psalm 126- Psalm 2- Genesis 18#Psalm126 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #Joy #Laughter #SpiritualFormation #ChristianFaith #Psalms #CSLewis #BibleStudy

Recorded on Sunday, May 10, 2026. Other scripture cited Isaiah 49:1-6; Acts 1:1-8.Support the show

“It has to be believed to be seen.” Willy Wonka / U2 Het jy al ooit 'n nuwe woord of konsep, of aangrypende nuwe musiek gehoor, of 'n nuwe kledingstuk of skoene of brand gekoop, of dit selfs oorweeg om 'n nuwe ryding te koop  en dan gebeur die vreemde dat jy hierdie “nuutheid”, wat dit ookal is, om elke hoek en draai sien? Hierdie verskynsel word die “Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon” genoem. Die gedagte is eenvoudig: dat jy meer gereeld herken waaraan jy jou verbind het. Ek sou wou sê: dat jou sintuie ontwaak vir dít waaraan jy jou verbind het. Vanuit ons huidge reeks “Herken die opstanding” wonder ek of dit ook wat die opstanding betref geldig is en hoe dit dan sou werk. 'n Jong getroude paartjie, hoor die ander dag hulle is swanger. Daar is nuwe lewe wat bot. Hul huis word belyn met die koms van die verwagte lewe. Haar eetgewoontes en 'n paar ander gewoontes word belyn met die koms van die nuwe lewe. Sy verander 'n paar ritmes. Die pa maak selfs 'n afspraak met hul finansiële raadgewer en pas maande vooruit hul persoonlike finansies aan. Hulle lees ander artikels, voer ander gesprekke, verander hul dieet, beplan en doen dinge anders. Hul menswees verander nie noodwendig dramaties nie — maar hul verwagting skuif beslis hul bewustheid en hulle leef baie meer gefokus op die nuwe lewe soos wat hulle al swangerder en swangerder word. So is dit ook wanneer jy spreekwoordelik swanger word met die opstanding. Jy kan nie help dat dit jou identiteit, bewussyn, fokus en leefwyse meesleur en vorm nie. Die ander dag besoek ek 'n ma van drie klein asempies en ons gesels diep, verby die oppervlak, oor die lewe en geloof. Tussendeur, nog voor dit gebeur, gee sy hier vir enetjie iets aan, keer sy daar vir 'n ander een, praat sy met elkeen van hulle, maak sy koffie, bottels en 'n speelpark vir die kinders se tuiswees. Sy lees die realiteit rondom haar as 'n moeder en sy tree die heeltyd, amper instinktief, moederlik op. Sy's dieselfde mens maar sy het 'n nuwe, verruimde bewussyn. Sy kan haarself nie help as om alles anders te sien nie. Sy't as't ware 'n nuwe identiteit. So is dit ook met die nuwe lewe van die opstanding. Jy kan nie help om dit herken nie, om toe te laat dat dit jou manier van wees beïnvloed nie. Jy kan dit nie aan en af sit soos wat jy dit nodig kry nie – want dit is iets wat met jou gebeur. Tannie Rosa vertel vandag, met my vra oor oom Chris se aansterk in die hospitaal, 'n klomp wonderlike, mooi, alledaagse geloofstories. Erens vertel sy hoe dankbaar sy is vir haar kinders en hul ondersteuning. Sy vertel van haar seun uit Gauteng wat nou kom kuier en ondersteun het met 'n klompie baie praktiese alledaagse dinge wat sy nie nou voor raad gehad het nie, en hoe hy kon help daarmee. Dan sê sy “Ons bid en vra die Here om ons te help en dan verwag ons 'n engel of iets…maar dan stuur Hy mense om ons te help. En dit is hoe God nog altyd vir ons help, deur mense.” Haar vertroue op God en haar jare lange belewenis van God verander haar seun se besoek tot 'n opdaag namens God. Tannie Rosa en oom Chris het oor jare deur moeilike en wonderskone landskappe deur ontdek hoe dit lyk om saam met die lewende teenwoordige God te leef. Hulle kan nie anders as om die lewe en God se beweging in die alledaagse te herken nie. Frederick Buechner nooi ons uit: “Listen to your life. Listen to what happens to you because it is through what happens to you that God speaks. . . . It's in language that's not always easy to decipher, but it's there powerfully, memorably, unforgettably.” Om die opstanding te herken vra dat jy die eerste opstanding in jou hart moet graveer, jouself as 'n opstandingsmens moet sien en dan op die Gees moet vertrou om jou te help om die herskeppende lewe, waarmee Gód besig is, oral rondom jou en in jou te herken. Ons sien hierdie herkenning langs teleurstelling se wegloop-pad, by 'n bang-wees-wegkruip-plek, in die alledaagse frustrasie van mislukte pogings, by 'n brood breek saam met 'n vreemdeling, 'n visbraai saam met vriende en langs 'n vuur van verleentheid. Wanneer ons later lees van Paulus se botsing met die Opgestane Jesus in Hand. 9 dan sien ons (soos met Maria, die dissipels, Tomas, die Emmaus-gangers en met Petrus) dat daar iets van 'n bekering, 'n rigtingverandering en 'n nuwe self-verstaan in hulle gebeur. Dan kan hulle nie help om die nuwe-lewe-beweging raak te sien en daarby aan te sluit nie. Mag jy die opstanding al meer herken. Na-leef teks “Ons het die Here gesien.” Dissipels aan Tomas “Ek bid dat Hy julle geestesoë so verhelder dat julle kan weet watter hoop sy roeping inhou, en watter rykdom daar is in die heerlike erfenis wat Hy vir die gelowiges bestem het, en hoe geweldig groot sy krag is wat Hy uitoefen in ons wat glo. Dit is dieselfde kragtige werking van sy mag wat Hy uitgeoefen het toe Hy Christus uit die dood opgewek en Hom in die hemel aan sy regterhand laat sit het.” Efesiërs 1:18-20 Na-leef vrae Wat sou jy sê is die herkenbare karaktertrekke van die opstanding? Waar het jy onlangs die opstanding herken? / Waar het jy onlangs 'n behoefte daarna herken? Jesus vra vir 'n blinde Bartimeus “Wat wil jy hê moet ek vir jou doen?” Waarop Batimeus antwoord “Rabbi, dat ek kan sien.” Om die opstanding te herken het jy dalk nie 'n Geneesheer nodig nie, maar 'n Rabbi wat jou kan leer om dit te herken. Vra die Gees, in jou eie woorde, dat jy die opstandingslewe al meer wil sien.

What does it look like to lead in one of the least-reached nations on earth? In this episode, Jason Watson speaks with Miho Buchholtz about following Jesus and serving the church in Japan, where Christians make up a very small minority and ministry often requires deep patience, humility, and long-term faithfulness. Miho reflects on her own story of depression and healing, the spiritual and cultural realities of Japan, the challenges of church planting in a secular context, and the quiet, resilient leadership needed to serve well in a place where visible fruit can come slowly.  

John 20 - Faith comes before understanding..."Almost nothing that makes any real difference can be proved.  I can prove the law of gravity by dropping a shoe out the window.  I can prove that the world is round if I'm clever at that sort of thing – that the radio works, that light travels faster than sound.  I cannot prove the greatness of the great or the beauty of the beautiful.  I cannot even prove my own free will; maybe my most heroic act, my truest love, my deepest thought, are all just subtler versions of what happens when the doctor taps my knee with his little rubber hammer and my foot jumps.” Frederick Buechner, Wishful ThinkingLink for Art Study - Two Disciples at the Tomb by Henry Ossawa Tanner

“It is a world of magic and mystery of deep darkness and flickering starlight. It is a world where terrible things happen and wonderful things too. It is a world where goodness is pitted against evil, love against hate, order against chaos, and where a great struggle often makes it hard to be sure who belongs to which side, because appearances are endlessly deceptive. Yet for all its confusion and wildness it is a world where the battle goes ultimately to the good who live happily ever after and where in the long run everybody, good and evil alike, become known by their true name. That is the fairytale of the gospel.” —Frederick Buechner, Telling the Truth: the Gospel as Comedy, Tragedy, and Fairy TaleFriends,What happens in you when you hear the word desire?Is there a kind of quickening—something like curiosity?Or a hesitation… a guardedness?Maybe a quiet opening that feels like hope.Or a heaviness in your chest that carries sadness.Or even a flash of cynicism.What have you come to believe about desire…in your life with the Triune God,in His Kingdom,in your apprenticeship to Jesus?And what if the recovery—the honoring and stewarding of desire in its purest form—is actually central to your restoration as an image-bearer of God?In this next episode of the Become Good Soil Foundations Series, we explore the recovery of longing and desire. Because at the heart of the Christian story is an arresting claim: that desire, in its essence, is not something to fear—but something given by God, meant to lead us to Him and into His Kingdom.It was the awakening of desire—those fleeting, radiant moments—that first beckoned C. S. Lewis. He described this awakening as joy. And that joy stirred something in him, calling him to search for more.And the same is true for us.Our longing is not a liability. It is part of the way back to joy. Everything we love—every glimpse of beauty, goodness, and delight—is from God, is for God, and ultimately finds its home in Him.The story of the kingdom is a story of desire being gathered up and restored—a great homecoming.Let's press forward together.It's all been prologue. The best is yet to come.For the Kingdom,Morgan & Cherie

Homília z Kaplnky 29.03.2026Začiatkom lásky je rozhodnutie nechať tých, ktorých milujeme, byť dokonale samými sebou, a predsavzatie neohýbať ich tak, aby zapadli do nášho vlastného obrazu. Ak na nich nemilujeme to, kým skutočne sú, ale iba ich potenciálnu podobnosť s nami, potom v skutočnosti nemilujeme ich: milujeme len odraz seba samých, ktorý v nich nachádzame.– Frederick Buechner, Telling SecretsSlovo: Pavol JurčoČítanie z Biblie: Miroslav HavelkaNahrávka: Peter Gála

Homília z Kaplnky 22.03.2026O svojom živote hovorím, pretože ak na jednej strane sotvačo môže byť menej dôležité, na strane druhej sotvačo môže byť dôležitejšie. Môj príbeh nie je dôležitý preto, že je môj, – Boh vie, že nie je – ale preto, že ak ho vyrozprávam aspoň trochu správne, je pravdepodobné, že v ňom v mnohom spoznáte ten svoj.Už dlho verím a často hovorím, že práve skrze tieto príbehy v celej ich konkrétnosti sa Boh dáva každému z nás poznať najmocnejšie a najosobnejšie. Ak je to pravda, znamená to, že stratiť stopu našich vlastných príbehov znamená nesmierne schudobnieť – nielen ľudsky, ale aj duchovne.– Frederick Buechner, Telling Secrets Slovo: Pavol JurčoČítanie z Biblie: Vladimír OravskýNahrávka: Igor Rjabinin

“A vocation is where your deep gladness meets the world's hunger.” - Frederick Buechner

Brent Billings and Reed Dent close out this series in an unorthodox format, talking about the virtue of love and what it means to be fully known and fully loved.Wishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent talk about the virtue of faith and the idea of trusting the story.“Bad Theology: A Quiz” by Scott Cairns — America MagazineWishful Thinking by Frederick BuechnerMere Christianity by C. S. LewisThe Gospel of Being Human by Marty Solomon and Reed DentAsking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty SolomonVelvet Elvis by Rob BellGravity and Grace by Simone WeilZero at the Bone by Christian WimanMark 8 — Reed Dent, Campus Christian Fellowship

Matthew 2:1-12 On this Epiphany Sunday Susan began with a portrayal of the wise men's perspective crafted by Frederick Buechner. Why did the magi follow the star to where Jesus was? "To be wise is to be eternally curious." Is to live without Christ the real death, and to die with him the only life? Jesus invites us to pick up our cross; not an appealing image... When we take up the cross we empty our hands and bid goodbye to our old lives, both good and bad. Paul is an example of giving up his old life with much esteem, to follow Christ. When we die unto Christ, we surrender our identities. Pay attention to the names you call yourself and see what they say about your identity. What is there that you need to surrender to fully embrace your new identity?

In A World Where You Can Be Anything...Be Kind. This is Ronnie's take on the Bethlehem Innkeeper, with assistance from Frederick Buechner.

God is the mystery and love at the center of reality that we call our lives, and we are here to pay attention to that! Because God speaks through the hieroglyphics of the things that happen in our actual lives. At the Eucharist table, we experience that God works through life, through people, and through physical, tangible, material reality to communicate His loving presence in our lives.*NOTE: George in referring to "Parker Palmer" throughout this teaching was actually meaning to say "Frederick Buechner." Apologies for missing that in the live recording. SLIDE GEORGE READ IN OUR GATHERING“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” Frederick Buechner

There’s a poignant scene near the end of Frederick Buechner’s novel Brendan. The character Gildas stands up to reveal one of his legs missing from the knee down. As he reaches for his walking stick, he loses his balance. Brendan leaps up and catches him. “I’m as crippled as the dark world,” Gildas says. “If it comes to that, which one of us isn’t?” Brendan replies. “To lend each other a hand when we’re falling. Perhaps that’s the only work that matters in the end.” In 2 Samuel 9, we find King David desiring to show kindness to anyone still living from the house of Saul (v. 1). There is one, Mephibosheth, “a son of Jonathan; lame in both feet” (v. 3). Mephibosheth is ushered into the king’s presence where he hears these words: “I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table” (v. 7). And he always did. Scripture is full of unforgettable stories of David and giants and armies and kings and kingdoms—the stuff of movies. But the Bible also remembers this poignant kindness shown toward a person in need—the story of someone lending a hand to another. After all the big, flashy scenes fade, it’s possible that kindness such as David extended to Mephibosheth is the work that matters most in the end. Lending a hand is the kind of work you and I can be about each and every day.

Can We Move From Fear to a Holy Indifference That Teaches Peace and Presence? Seattle-based writer Sara Billups joins host Curtis Chang to explore how faith, mental health, and spiritual practices can help calm anxiety in our bodies, families, churches, and politics. Drawing from her book Nervous Systems (available November 4, 2025), Sara shares practical ways to find peace, emotional balance, and spiritual resilience amid today's chaos. Together, Curtis and Sara discuss how understanding our stories and grounding in faith can help us live with calm and clarity in an anxious culture.   (02:23) - Navigating Anxiety in Uncertain Times (04:35) - Understanding Anxiety Across Generations (18:58) - Navigating Anxiety With Holy Indifference (26:00) - Anxiety in Churches, Politics, and Systems (28:15) - Churches Cultivating Non-Anxious Presence (33:43) - Finding a Spiritual Home in Crisis (41:20) - Sara's Message a Generation of Anxious Young Adults   Join The After Party   Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org   Donate to Redeeming Babel   Mentioned in this episode: Sara Billups' Nervous Systems: Spiritual Practices to Calm Anxiety in Your Body, the Church, and Politics What is Epigenetics? (Cleveland Clinic) Curt Thompson discusses generational trauma and epigenetics (episode of Curt's podcast) Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises  St. Teresa of Lisieux's Divine Office The story behind the hymn It Is Well With My Soul Frederick Buechner describes his daughter's anorexia and praying Psalm 131 (video) Frederick Buechner's Telling Secrets Matthew 26:36-46 (ESV) Jesus prays in Gethsemane Edwin Friedman's A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix Edwin Friedman's Six Measures of Effective Leadership (Jack Shitima's Non-Anxious Leader blog) Mark Sayers's A Non-Anxious Presence: How a Changing and Complex World will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders The ignatian concept of Indifference Thomas McKenzie's The Anglican Way: A Guidebook Tim Keller's The Church in the City (Series of audio messages) Christianity Today's The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill (podcast) 22 Explore Grace Church Seattle Good Faith episode featuring Paco Amador of Little Village in Chicago   More from Sara Billups: Sara Billups' Orphaned Believers: How a Generation of Christian Exiles Can Find the Way Home Sara Billups' Bitter Scroll (substack) Sara Billups' That's the Spirit podcast (with Morgan Page)   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter  

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent talk about pride (or, rather, vainglory).The King of Comedy (1982 film) — LetterboxdWishful Thinking by Frederick BuechnerThere Will Be Blood (2007 film) — LetterboxdWhiplash (2014 film) — LetterboxdSoli Deo Gloria — WikipediaJohn Chrysostom — Wikipedia“This Is Water” by David Foster Wallace (YouTube)“This Is Water” by David Foster Wallace (Amazon)Glittering Vices by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoungJesus and the Victory of God by N. T. WrightThe Weight of Glory by C. S. LewisRaiders of the Lost Ark (1981 film) — Letterboxd

Brent Billings, Reed Dent, and Elle Grover Fricks talk about greed.Wall Street (1987 film) — LetterboxdGlengarry Glen Ross (1992 film) — LetterboxdThe Wolf of Wall Street (2013 film) — LetterboxdWishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner“Is Greed Good? On God and Wealth” by Donald Goergen — Church Life JournalTo Have or to Be? by Eric FrommFight Club (1999 film) – LetterboxdBEMA 356: Sabbath Practice — Friendship w/ Derrick James Rohr IIIThe Cardinal and the Deadly by Karl Clifton-SoderstromBEMA 314: Parables — The Barn BuilderLa Pachanga Mexican Restaurant

This three-part series kicks off with John and Blaine Eldredge talking about the lost art of noticing what God is up to in our lives—not just today but over time. While clarity is essential, the ultimate goal is to come into alignment with what God is doing. How do we do that? In Part 1, John and Blaine lay a solid foundation by revealing three specific suppositions for discerning God's work in our lives so we can join him there.Show Notes: The books referenced are The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis, Now and Then by Frederick Buechner, and The Inner Chamber and the Inner Life by Andrew Murray. The “3 Presuppositions for Discerning God's Work in Your Life” are: 1) God is speaking to all people at all times.2) Most people don't learn to discern God's work in isolation.3) God is interested in intimacy—and that means conversation, not observation._______________________________________________There is more.Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at Questions@WildatHeart.orgSupport the mission or find more on our website: WildAtHeart.org  or on our app.Apple: Wild At Heart AppAndroid: Wild At Heart AppWatch on YouTubeThe stock music used in the Wild at Heart podcast is titled “When Laid to Rest” by Patrick Rundblad and available here.More pauses available in the One Minute Pause app for Apple iOS and Android.Apple: One Minute Pause AppAndroid: One Minute Pause App

Stairway to Heaven And [Jacob] dreamed that there was a stairway set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it… Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” ~Genesis 28:12, 16 For one more week, our worship service will be built around a story from the Book of Genesis. Isaac, whom we met last week, marries Rebekah, and she has twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob becomes the recipient of God's promise, but it wasn't because he was a nice guy. I love Frederick Buechner's description of him. The Book of Genesis makes no attempt to conceal the fact that Jacob was, among other things, a crook. What's more, you get the feeling that whoever wrote up his seamy adventures got a real kick out of them. Twice he cheated his lame-brained brother Esau out of what was coming to him. At least once he took advantage of his old father, Isaac's, blindness and played him for a sucker…Jacob was never satisfied. He wanted the moon, and if he'd ever managed to bilk heaven out of that, he would have been back the next morning for the stars to go with it. But then one day he learned a marvelous lesson in a marvelous and unexpected way. (Frederick Buechner, Peculiar Treasures) On Sunday, I will explore that “marvelous lesson” learned “in a marvelous and unexpected way.”

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent dive into the first of our vices, lust.Confessions by Augustine of Hippo (Amazon)Confessions by Augustine of Hippo (Project Gutenberg)Glittering Vices by Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoungGame Genie — WikipediaThe Cardinal and the Deadly by Karl Clifton-SoderstromThe Four Loves by C. S. LewisWishful Thinking by Frederick Buechner“The Two Loves” from The Hungering Dark by Frederick BuechnerNOOMA 002: Flame by Rob BellThe Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus — WikipediaThe Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris

SUMMARY  In this episode of the Faith and Work podcast, host Joanna Meyer engages with Tracey Gee, author and consultant, to explore the intricate relationship between purpose, desire, and calling. They discuss the challenges of discerning one's calling, especially in the context of faith, and how desire plays a crucial role in this process. Tracey shares her personal journey of navigating career transitions and the importance of recognizing and embracing one's desires. The conversation also touches on gender perspectives regarding desire, the consequences of ignoring it, and practical steps to identify and pursue one's desires. Ultimately, they emphasize the significance of engaging with disappointment and the treasure hidden within our lives as we seek to align our work with our calling. Wherever you're listening—Spotify, Apple, or YouTube—subscribing, rating, and reviewing the show helps others discover what we're doing here. It's a small way to support the mission—and it means a lot to us.  HIGHLIGHTS Excerpt from The Magic of Knowing What You Want "Our desires have something important to say. They shake things up in profoundly generative ways to help us create what the world needs. The more I work with people coming alive to who they are, the stronger my hunch is that our desires have a central role to play in us, and the world is waiting to welcome the beautiful work our desires are capable of."   On Question Overload  "And I noticed that when you ask yourself, what do I want? Usually what happens is that you start asking then 60 other questions. Like, okay, what do I want? Yeah, but is that really possible? Or if I could do that, could I pull that off? Like, I don't know if I, if anyone would actually hire me, does that exist? I don't know if I can afford that. don't know. Am I allowed to ask this? Am I allowed to want this? Then not only are we trying to ask, again, this question that I think is really sacred and really central, but then we get sort of hijacked by millions of other questions that quickly pile on top of it. those are questions often, not always, but often rooted in some fear, some anxiety, some uncertainty, right, all of the above. And then we're overwhelmed and we don't know what to do with that." RESOURCES Download the episode transcript here Book Recommendation: Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.” ― Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC Attend Women, Work, & Calling Annual Event to hear more from Tracey Gee Purchase The Magic of Knowing What You Want Download our Getting Clear about Calling Group Discussion Guide  Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of our Faith & Work episodes: What Does It Mean To Be Called?

The titular characters in Frederick Buechner's historical novels Godric (1980) and Brendan (1987) are wayward priests and unsaintly saints, “just as clay-footed and full of shadows as the rest of us,” and yet, nonetheless, remarkable ministers of divine grace. In his portrayal of such saints, Buechner probes one of the central questions raised by the fourth-century Donatist Controversy—namely, whether the sinfulness of the minister compromises the divine grace which is mediated through his ministry. As we shall see, Buechner's vision is profoundly Augustinian—and yet, his is an Augustinianism inflected through the Protestant Reformation and into Modernity. Even so, Buechner upholds the wisdom and hope of the ancient Church for the contemporary Church, as the Church reels from and reckons with the exposure of moral failures and ecclesial scandals. The Copyright for all material on the podcast is held by L'Abri Fellowship. We ask that you respect this by not publishing the material in full or in part in any format or post it on a website without seeking prior permission from L'Abri Fellowship. Also, note that not all views expressed in the lectures or in the discussion time necessarily represent the views of L'Abri Fellowship. © Canadian L'Abri 2020

Our country needs healing, and it starts with bringing healing to your workplace.   Frederick Buechner once said, "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." I believe the greatest need is the healing of the lost and broken. Likely you have noticed brokenness in your workplace that needs to be healed. What are you doing about it? Praying about it? Seeking to understand it? Trying to find the person who is causing the brokenness? In our workplaces, we often find broken people bring their brokenness to work with them, and it multiplies. It's one reason you as a Jesus-follower are there. That brokenness needs healing, and you know the best healer in the world. Remember, since we follow Jesus, we are healers too. 

Our country needs healing, and it starts with bringing healing to your workplace.    Frederick Buechner said, "Pay attention to the things that bring a tear to your eye or a lump in your throat because they are signs that the Holy is drawing near." What injustice in your community brings you to tears? Homelessness, poverty, joblessness, sexual exploitation? What can you do about it? God provided you with a job and an income. What is that income for? For providing for your family and for bringing healing to your community. God asks that you Consider 10% of your income for ministering to the needs of the lost and broken. Sometimes those lost and broken are right next to you at work. Remember, Jesus is a healer, and since we follow Jesus, we are healers too. 

At the top of the show I pulled the quote "Listen to Your Life. All moments are key moments." ~Frederick Buechner, and discussed the quiet moments that coalesced into my decision to start doing stand-up comedy.Then I summarized the amazing memoir "The Education of Eva Moscovitz". (https://amzn.to/4kBtYqu) Ms. Moskovitz is the founder of Success Academy Charter Schools, a network of 57 public schools that has had a 100% college acceptance rate for eight years in a row and vastly outperforms traditional public schools.This book was a fantastic primer on:Understanding why American public schools (at least in large cities) are underperformingUnderstanding why charter schools are "controversial"Clarifying the challenges of politics in AmericaGet inspired by what one person can do! A reader walks way with the sense that Eva Moskowitz is the example not the exception.It's a non-fiction book that reads like fiction! Give it a go. You'll learn a lot and be inspired. Buy it here: https://amzn.to/4kBtYquResources:-My Favorite Planning Tools (stickers, ink, etc) https://tinyurl.com/shopbywd-Start my life design course "Harness the Power of Planning" now! http://tinyurl.com/hpopondemand-Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BYWDreams.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-My books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://TinyURL.com/BYWDbooks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

At the top of the show I pulled the quote "Listen to Your Life. All moments are key moments." ~Frederick Buechner, and discussed the quiet moments that coalesced into my decision to start doing stand-up comedy.Then I summarized the amazing memoir "The Education of Eva Moscovitz". (https://amzn.to/4kBtYqu) Ms. Moskovitz is the founder of Success Academy Charter Schools, a network of 57 public schools that has had a 100% college acceptance rate for eight years in a row and vastly outperforms traditional public schools.This book was a fantastic primer on:Understanding why American public schools (at least in large cities) are underperformingUnderstanding why charter schools are "controversial"Clarifying the challenges of politics in AmericaGet inspired by what one person can do! A reader walks way with the sense that Eva Moskowitz is the example not the exception.It's a non-fiction book that reads like fiction! Give it a go. You'll learn a lot and be inspired. Buy it here: https://amzn.to/4kBtYquResources:-My Favorite Planning Tools (stickers, ink, etc) https://tinyurl.com/shopbywd-Start my life design course "Harness the Power of Planning" now! http://tinyurl.com/hpopondemand-Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BYWDreams.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-My books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://TinyURL.com/BYWDbooks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Send us a textWith Caleb out and Independence Day in the air, Brandon gets personal. In this solo episode, he shares a heartfelt encouragement to every entrepreneur who has felt the weight of leadership, the pressure of noise, or the slow drift away from joy in the business they once loved building.Drawing from the wisdom of Viktor Frankl and Ray Dalio, and the quiet confidence of Jesus himself, this episode is a reminder that freedom is more than something we celebrate on a holiday. It's something we are called to protect every day through intentional habits, mindset, and connection with our purpose.In this episode, you'll hear:• Why solitude and silence are essential for clarity• How joy and gratitude can shift your entire leadership posture• What Revolutionary War soldiers, mastermind groups, and Frederick Buechner can teach us about unity and calling• Five ways to recover your sense of peace and purpose in businessIf you've ever felt like you're spinning plates or stuck in something you once loved, this episode is for you.Free Marketing Audit: MavenMarketingAudit.comMaven Method Training: MavenMethodTraining.comOur Website: https://frankandmaven.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankandmavenmarketing/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@frankandmavenTwitter: https://twitter.com/frankandmavenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/frank-and-maven/Host: Brandon WelchCo-Host: Caleb AgeeExecutive Producer: Carter BreauxAudio/Video Producer: Nate the Camera GuyDo you have a marketing problem you'd like us to help solve? Send it to MavenMonday@FrankandMaven.com!Get a copy of our Best-Selling Book, The Maven Marketer Here: https://a.co/d/1clpm8a

Sarah's Favorite Trail Reminder:“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen.Don't be afraid.”- Frederick Buechner, Beyond WordsEpisode Description: High Points & Panhandle Trails: Pt. 1 with Sarah & BradIn Part 1 of our conversation with Sarah and Brad, we dive into the heart of the Texas Panhandle hiking scene — and the community that's making it thrive. Brad shares the story behind the Amarillo Hiking Group, how it's grown, and what makes this tight-knit crew of hikers such a welcoming force for new and seasoned adventurers alike.We also talk hiking in the Panhandle: the beauty, the surprises, and the myths that outsiders just don't get. Then we switch gears and dive into the journey of chasing state high points across the U.S. — from grueling summit pushes to unexpected detours, Sarah brings plenty of stories, laughs, and advice for anyone eyeing their own peak list.Plus, a lightning round, surprise questions, and a few moments that'll have you adding new trails to your bucket list.

What does a Shire full of hobbits in Middle-Earth, a county full of farmers in Kentucky, and a wardrobe full of a lion have in common? For Russell Moore and singer/songwriter/author Andrew Peterson, they were all a way to find home.    In this episode—recorded inside Peterson's book-lined Chapter House in Nashville, right down the road from Moore—the two talk about the authors who, by God's grace, helped hold their faith together when it could have come apart. From the wisdom of Wendell Berry to the imagination of C.S. Lewis to the honesty of Frederick Buechner, these authors gave a clarity that helped these two keep the faith.    This isn't just a literary conversation. It's about how God uses stories, sentences, and sometimes even sword-wielding mice to reach people in moments of doubt, disillusionment, or despair. Along the way, they talk about what it means to read widely, to hold onto wonder, and to be the kind of Christian who can still be surprised by joy.   They also somehow end up talking about Moby Dick, Dungeons & Dragons, and how ChatGPT was wrong and right about what books each of them would take to a desert island.    Books and authors mentioned in this episode include: Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry A Room Called Remember and Telling Secrets by Frederick Buechner The Chronicles of Narnia, Till We Have Faces, Mere Christianity, and more by C.S. Lewis Godric by Frederick Buechner David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson Moby Dick by Herman Melville Reading Genesis by Marilynne Robinson The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs And selections from Andrew's own works: Adorning the Dark, The God of the Garden, and The Wingfeather Saga Whether you're deep in faith, on the brink of losing it, or just looking for something beautiful to read, this conversation will remind you why the right book at the right moment can do more than explain—it can point to new life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is God's will for your life more of a dot or a circle? That's one of the questions addressed by Grammy Award–winning producer and artist Charlie Peacock, whose new memoir Roots & Rhythm explores what it means to find one's calling in life, how to heal from the past, and how to give up the quest for holding on to power. This conversation reveals at least one middle-school-era debate over what counts as “Christian music” (spoiler: there was almost a fistfight over Amy Grant), and they explore deeper questions about fame, ambition, and why some artists burn out while others grow deeper with time.   Peacock shares stories behind producing music for Amy Grant, Switchfoot, and The Civil Wars—and what he's learned from the visible economies of success and the hidden “Great Economy” about which Wendell Berry wrote.   You'll hear thoughtful conversation on everything from Zen Buddhism and Jack Kerouac to AI and the future of music. Along the way, Peacock reflects on a note found after his mother's death, a formative encounter with Kierkegaard, and what it means to live with grace as “an antidote to karma.” Peacock and Moore also talk about Frederick Buechner and Merle Haggard, as well as fatherhood, how to find a “circle of affirmation,” and why failing is as important as succeeding. If you're curious about how art and faith intersect in an age of algorithms and ambition, this conversation offers a human and hopeful perspective. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Roots & Rhythm: A Life in Music by Charlie Peacock On the Road: The Original Scroll by Jack Kerouac  Distant Neighbors: The Selected Letters of Wendell Berry and Gary Snyder Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this message from the Chasing Empty series, Pastor Tim Dunn explores the concept of calling—what it is, why it matters, and how to pursue it. Grounded in Scripture and wisdom from thinkers like Os Guinness and Frederick Buechner, this sermon unpacks the difference between primary calling, secondary calling, and occupation, helping you discern where your life aligns with God's purpose. If you've ever wrestled with direction, identity, or significance, this teaching will guide you toward clarity by helping you steward your current season, listen for God's voice, and take practical steps forward.

The world rings with praise only because the whole of creation is in on it! Praise the Lord! The sun and moon, the sea, fire and snow, speckled frogs and spotted dogs, wrens and thrushes, old men with walkers and little babies who do little more than drool and sleep. The world joins up in the praise parade not with words, but with being. The snow whirls, the fires roar, the frogs croak, the cows moo, the birds sing, the old men sigh, and the little babies burp. In short, we learn to praise God not by paying compliments, but by paying attention. Have you ever watched a forest dance in the wind? Or listened to the symphony of a thunderstorm? Or sat in the silence and sound of a church service? Or experienced the fog lifting while you're on the back of a motorcycle on your way to the zoo? We can praise when all is well and when all is hell because, as Frederick Buechner puts it, “What's lost is nothing to what's found, and all the death that ever was, set next to life, would scarcely fill a cup.”

What if doubt isn't the enemy of faith but the beginning of deeper belief? On this episode of Being Human, Steve Cuss explores spiritual deconstruction and the way writers like Frederick Buechner and Madeleine L'Engle paved the way for honest, Christ-centered wrestling with belief. Sharing personal stories and biblical insight, Steve unpacks how anxiety, reactivity, and certainty can block spiritual growth—and how curiosity and vulnerability open the door to true connection with Jesus and others. If your faith is shifting, this episode offers clarity, hope, and a path toward deeper belief and renewal. Resources mentioned in this episode include: A conversation with Philip Yancey on faith and doubt Excerpts from the works of Frederick Buechner on faith despite doubt Madeleine L'Engle on those without doubt (video clip) Madeleine L'Engle on faith (video clip) The meaning of the disciples' doubt in Matthew 28:17 Jude 1:22 and what it means to have mercy on those who doubt  John 8 and lessons of the woman caught in adultery “Have Mercy on Those Who Doubt” by Jon Bloom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if doubt isn't the enemy of faith but the beginning of deeper belief? On this episode of Being Human, Steve Cuss explores spiritual deconstruction and the way writers like Frederick Buechner and Madeleine L'Engle paved the way for honest, Christ-centered wrestling with belief. Sharing personal stories and biblical insight, Steve unpacks how anxiety, reactivity, and certainty can block spiritual growth—and how curiosity and vulnerability open the door to true connection with Jesus and others. If your faith is shifting, this episode offers clarity, hope, and a path toward deeper belief and renewal. Resources mentioned in this episode include: A conversation with Philip Yancey on faith and doubt Excerpts from the works of Frederick Buechner on faith despite doubt Madeleine L'Engle on those without doubt (video clip) Madeleine L'Engle on faith (video clip) The meaning of the disciples' doubt in Matthew 28:17 Jude 1:22 and what it means to have mercy on those who doubt  John 8 and lessons of the woman caught in adultery “Have Mercy on Those Who Doubt” by Jon Bloom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marty Solomon and Brent Billings are joined by special guest Karen Stiller, author of Holiness Here and the author and editor of many other books, magazines, essays, and more.Holiness Here by Karen StillerReview of Holiness Here — Marty Solomon, GoodreadsReview of Holiness Here — Brent Billings, GoodreadsMeadow Lake Progress — WikipediaBooks by Frederick BuechnerBooks by Anne LamottThe Minister's Wife by Karen StillerCraft, Cost & Call by Patricia Paddey & Karen StillerKaren Stiller's coachingFaith Today PodcastKaren Stiller's websiteKaren Stiller on InstagramKaren Stiller on Substack Special Guest: Karen Stiller.

How can we stay grounded in an anxious political climate?   Leadership anxiety expert Steve Cuss joins the Good Faith Podcast to help us navigate Trump's turbulent second term without becoming overwhelmed. We explore how chronic anxiety spreads through reactivity, why political leaders and their followers often amplify fear through straw man arguments, and how we can break free from the cycle. Drawing from his experience as a trauma chaplain and beyond, Steve shares practical tools for maintaining spiritual and emotional balance. If political division is making your mind race, heart pound, or body tense, Steve offers wisdom and encouragement to help you find calm and clarity in the chaos.   Send written questions or voice memos for “Ask Curtis” episodes to: askcurtis@redeemingbabel.org   Send Campfire Stories to: info@redeemingbabel.org   Resources or references mentioned in this episode: Frederick Buechner's Whistling in the Dark The Evangelical vote in 2024 The Los Angeles Times: Is Donald Trump a new King David? “Remember the Lord” from Proverbs 3:6-16 GNT Jacob's assurance from Genesis 28 NLT  Jesus' trial before Pilate John 18:28-40 NLT Paul's trials before Festus and Felix Acts 24-26 NLT Jesus calls Herod a “fox” Luke 13:31-32 NLT Freedom to love others Galatians 5:13 More about Gregory Boyle More From Steve Cuss: Steve's podcast Being Human Steve's book Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs Steve's book The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space between Our Beliefs and Experience of God Steve's website (free access to the Life Giving List and Conscious List of Relationships) Register for the Illuminate Arts & Faith Conference   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   Sign up: Redeeming Babel Newsletter

Hello to you listening in Powder Springs, Georgia!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.What is vocation? Frederick Buechner says, “...it's the place where your deep gladness meets the world's deep hunger. What a long time it can take to discover, to be called to  your deep identity, your true self who came here with your very own vocation. Yes, for some of us it can be a long way to find out who we've always been and then to become that. We may wish to try on the selves of other people but at the end of the day the question still remains: Why are you not you?It was a very long walk but I found my way as Quarter Moon Story Arts. Story Prompt: Who are you when you are your truest self? Where does your deep gladness meet the world's deep hunger? Write that story!You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you'll subscribe, follow, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us again! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Services, arrange a Discovery Call, and Opt In to stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack. Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer's Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.

Recorded on Sunday, February 23, 2025. Other scripture cited: Exodus 24:12-18; Hebrews 1:1-3.Support the show

Chapter 1 What's Telling The Truth by Frederick Buechner"Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale" is a theological work by Frederick Buechner that explores the multifaceted nature of the Gospel through the lenses of tragedy, comedy, and fairy tale. Buechner argues that the Christian message embodies elements of all three, reflecting the complexities of human existence.In tragedy, Buechner examines the profound suffering, sin, and despair found in the human condition, emphasizing that the Gospel does not shy away from these harsh realities. He illustrates how the story of Christ's crucifixion resonates with deep personal and collective human pain.Conversely, in his exploration of comedy, Buechner highlights the joy and humor embedded in the Christian narrative. He invites readers to see the lighter side of faith, recognizing that life, even amidst trials, can be filled with laughter and unexpected grace.Finally, he approaches the Gospel as a fairy tale, emphasizing the themes of redemption, hope, and transformation. He suggests that, like the greatest fairy tales, the Gospel offers a sense of wonder and the possibility of a happy ending, countering despair with the transformative love of God. Through this tripartite analysis, Buechner provides a rich, nuanced perspective on the Gospel, encouraging readers to embrace its complexities and the profound truths found within it.Chapter 2 Telling The Truth by Frederick Buechner Summary"Telling the Truth" by Frederick Buechner is a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of truth, particularly in the context of Christian faith and storytelling. In this work, Buechner delves into the importance of honesty and authenticity in both life and literature, examining how truth can be multifaceted and complex. Key Themes:The Nature of Truth: Buechner argues that truth is not just a set of factual statements but an experience that encompasses emotional and spiritual dimensions. He posits that the deepest truths often come from personal narratives and can reveal profound insights into the human condition.Storytelling as a Means of Revelation: Buechner emphasizes the role of storytelling in conveying truth. He suggests that stories have the power to illuminate truth in ways that abstract concepts cannot. Through parables, personal anecdotes, and biblical tales, he illustrates how narratives can touch the heart and resonate with individual experiences.The Relationship between Truth and Faith: The author connects the concept of truth with the foundations of Christian belief. He invites readers to consider how faith itself is rooted in a kind of truth that transcends rational understanding. Buechner reflects on biblical stories, suggesting they reveal deeper truths about God, humanity, and the nature of reality.Honesty in Human Experience: Buechner candidly discusses the challenges of living truthfully in a world that often values convenience over honesty. He encourages a pursuit of authenticity, even when the truth is difficult or painful, as it ultimately leads to a richer understanding of oneself and one's relationship with God. Conclusion:In "Telling the Truth", Buechner invites readers to consider the implications of living truthfully both in their personal lives and in their spiritual journeys. By combining literary skill with theological insights, he creates a poignant reflection on what it means to tell the truth in a world that is often more comfortable with falsehood. This work thus serves as both a call to authenticity and an affirmation of the transformative power of truth.Chapter 3 Telling The Truth AuthorFrederick Buechner was an American author, theologian, and Presbyterian minister known for his works that blend fiction and non-fiction, often exploring themes of faith, doubt, and the human experience. He was born on July 11, 1926, and

If you're feeling the weight of past trauma and struggling to heal, then you are not alone! The journey to healing from abuse and trauma is often filled with challenges, and finding the right tools to navigate this journey can be overwhelming. But what if there was a resource that could guide you through this process and help you cultivate well-being? In this episode, you will be able to: Explore the transformative power of therapy in healing from abuse and trauma and reclaiming your well-being. Uncover the impact of narcissism in church leadership and gain insights into navigating the complexities of this issue. Discover the invaluable benefits of professional mental health support and how it can positively impact your healing journey. Understand the profound connection between attachment issues and trauma recovery and how it influences your healing process. Embrace the role of self-regulation in effective leadership and learn how it can enhance your personal and professional growth. My special guest is Dr. Chuck DeGroat Dr. Chuck DeGroat, a professor of pastoral care and Christian spirituality at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the podcast. With a background in therapy, spiritual direction, and as a licensed therapist, Chuck specializes in navigating issues of abuse, trauma, pastoral and leadership health, and doubt. His profound insights and compassionate approach make him a thought leader in the space of healing from workplace abuse and trauma. Chuck's dedication to helping individuals understand and heal from the impact of abuse and trauma, combined with his extensive experience in training clergy and consulting with churches, makes him an invaluable resource for anyone seeking insight and guidance in their healing journey. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:02 - Introduction to the Podcast 00:01:40 - Chuck DeGroat's Background 00:03:22 - Evolution of Chuck DeGroat's Approach 00:11:03 - Faux Vulnerability in Church Leadership 00:13:09 - Misuse of Self-Work for Immunity 00:13:40 - Dysfunctional Dynamics in Churches 00:14:58 - Toxic Leadership and Manipulation 00:19:06 - Nervous System Dysregulation 00:22:10 - Healing Attachment Wounds 00:25:52 - Transformation and Non-Anxious Presence 00:26:17 - Recognizing Patterns of Toxic Behavior 00:27:24 - Accountability and Systemic Change 00:29:15 - Rebuilding for the Future 00:30:49 - Understanding Shame Dynamics 00:35:15 - Rediscovering the Goodness of the Heart 00:39:20 - Men Doing Deeper Work 00:40:02 - Bullying and Women 00:41:15 - Complimenting Each Other's Work 00:41:39 - Encouraging Curiosity and Healing 00:42:42 - Embracing Curiosity and Healing 00:53:11 - Finding Healing and Freedom 00:53:32 - Hope in "Healing What's Within" Trauma is not what happens to us, but what happens within. - Chuck DeGroat Order Healing What's Within by Dr. Chuck DeGroot on his website chuckdegroat.net or through major book retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Book Depository. Join the Patreon community at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference to access exclusive content, one you don't want to miss an exclusive with Dr. Chuck DeGroat. Listen to our first episode with Dr. Chuck DeGroat about his book When Narcissism Comes to Church Explore additional resources recommended by Dr. Chuck DeGroot at the end of each chapter, such as Dan Allender's To Be Told: Know Your Story, Shape Your Life and Frederick Buechner's Telling Secrets. Engage in introspective and mindful practices to support your healing journey, such as deep breathing, visualization, EMDR and brainspotting. Gift Healing What's Within to friends or loved ones who could benefit from the valuable tools and insights shared in the book. Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Linkedin YouTube FaceBook Instagram Threads Patreon Bluesky TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luke 2:16 “A God for the Everyday”Series: Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child Preacher: Will SpinkSunday MorningDate: 29th December 2024Passage: Luke 2:16-------------------“Those who believe in God can never in a way be sure of him again. Once they have seen him in a stable, they can never be sure where he will appear or to what lengths he will go or to what ludicrous depths of self-humiliation he will descend in his wild pursuit of man. If holiness and the awful power and majesty of God were present in this least auspicious of all events, this birth of a peasant's child, then there is no place where we can hide from God, no place where we are safe from his power to break in two and recreate the human heart because it is just where he seems most helpless that he is most strong, and just where we least expect him that he comes most fully.” Frederick Buechner, The Hungering DarkIntroduction: A Baby in a Manger?Three Meditations Messiah in a Manger (Luke 2:16) Word takes on Flesh (John 1:14)King becomes Servant (Philippians 2:7)One Application Where will God show up in and through your everyday life?

John 20:24-28But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hands in his side, I will not believe.”A week later, the disciples were again in the house, and this time Thomas was with them. Jesus came, again, and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” And he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand put it in my side. Do not doubt, but believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord, and my God.” David Brooks, in his book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen, the inspiration behind our Advent journey this season, tells some beautiful and hard stories about grief and despair and suffering. He gives some sad statistics about how and why we are such a disconnected people these days – and about what it means to experience hardships ourselves, to learn to see them in others, and to walk with others – and each other – through the struggles of this life.If you've picked up the book, but haven't made your way into it, yet – and you're here tonight – maybe Part 2, Chapter 8, page 97, is a place you could begin reading. (If you don't have this book – or don't know or care about any of that – fear not; none of it is necessary. I plan to fill in all the gaps you might be missing.)But in discussing what it means to see one another in our struggles, David Brooks tells part of Frederick Buechner's story. Buechner was a Presbyterian minister, theologian and very prolific author – a few of who's books were required reading in my Pastoral Care and Counseling courses back in seminary. When Buechner was just ten years old – and his younger brother, only 8 – their dad peaked in them early one morning in their bedroom before they were set to go on a family outing about which the brothers were quite excited.It was too early that morning to get up so the boys stayed in bed, in their room, anticipating the fun day they had planned. As Brooks writes it, “A little while later, they heard a scream and the sounds of doors opening and closing. They looked out their window and saw their father lying in the gravel driveway, with their mother and grandmother, barefoot and still in their nightgowns, leaning over him. Each woman had one of his legs in her hands. They were lifting his legs up and down as if they were operating two handles of a pump. Nearby, the garage door was open and blue smoke was billowing out.“… their father had gassed himself to death. It took them a few days to find the suicide note, which their dad had scratched in pencil on the last page of Gone with the Wind. It was addressed to their mom, [and said]: ‘I adore you and love you, and am no good … Give Freddy my watch. Give Jamie my pearl pin. I give you all my love.'”Within just a couple of months, Buechner's mother moved them to Bermuda, where they started a new life, and little Freddy effectively avoided and denied whatever grief he would have/could have/should have probably wrestled with until he couldn't avoid it any longer – when he became a young adult. His work as a teacher and author helped with that, as did more life experiences and research into his dad's past and family history. Sadly, and surprisingly, it wasn't until he reached middle age that Frederick Buechner was able to cry real tears – to actually grieve – the loss of the father he loved very much.I picked this story to tell, because I agree with David Brooks: that the trajectory and experience of Frederick Buechner's grief is a familiar one for many people. See if this scenario sounds familiar:Some sadness, struggle, or even tragedy strikes. There is a period of shock and grief that feels too great to face or engage, so that grief – and all the emotions that come along with it – are packed away, avoided, denied, whatever. We suck it up and move on, because we think that will be easier. We brave the grief alone, or quietly, because that looks like “strength” to us – and that supposed “strength” is often affirmed as such by the world around us. At the very least, maybe we minimize whatever grief or struggle finds us because we are needed by others – children, parents, spouses – or because we don't want to appear weak, or to be a burden or a buzz-kill, or something of the like.(Again, not that anyone here would ever … but does any of this sound familiar?)Whatever the case, this can go on for quite some time … until it can't anymore. In Frederick Buechner's case, it took decades before it caught up with him and before he was finally able to find meaning and new life through the grief he learned to experience and engage over having lost his father so young and so tragically.Anderson Cooper tells a similar story. (I know I am a broken record about Anderson Cooper and his podcast “All There Is,” and I'm sorry – not sorry – that I bring it up every chance I get. If nothing else I have to say tonight resonates or sounds encouraging or helpful to you, make listening to that podcast part of your holy homework soon and very soon. I propose – I almost promise – it will either help you find some words and wisdom about whatever grief you've already experienced, or it will prepare you for the grief that will find you – as it does us all – at some point in our lives.)Anyway, the whole reason Anderson Cooper started this podcast a few years ago, where he interviews others all and only about their grief is because – at the age of 55 – he realized he had never been taught or encouraged to engage, let alone wrestle with or mend, the deep grief he endured by losing his father to heart-failure when he was just 10 years old (like Frederick Beuchner was); or the grief he suffered after losing his 23 year-old brother to suicide when he was just 21.Instead of grieving well, Anderson says as a young adult, he traveled the world, risking his life to report on wars and tragedies and disasters – literally on a global scale – so that, while simultaneously running from and avoiding his own grief, he could subconsciously measure that kind of horrific sadness against his own, and maybe see how other people survived in the face of it.Anderson Cooper embodies Frederick Buechner's suggestion that, even though we long more than anything to be known fully, grief – even though it is utterly universal – may be one of the things that is most difficult to embrace, admit, or share about ourselves.It's why what we're up to tonight is as practical as it is holy to me. It's why I'm so grateful you've showed up. It's why I wish this place was as full tonight as it will be on Christmas Eve.See, on a recent episode of that podcast, Anderson Cooper interviewed the actor Andrew Garfield, who talked about the loss of his mother. And Andrew Garfield said something so profound it's been making its way around the internet, lately. Maybe you've seen or heard it. “The wound is the only route to the gift.”I wonder if, when Jesus showed up for the disciples after his death – and then again to Thomas, who refused to believe it …I wonder if he was doing even more than proving his identity … if he was doing more, even, than just showing evidence of his resurrection … I wonder if, when Jesus showed off the wounds in his hands and on his sides… If, when he invited Thomas to put his fingers “here” and to see his hands, to reach out his own hands and to touch the wounded sides of Jesus…I wonder if Jesus was offering Thomas healing for the deep grief he surely felt, and if he was showing them all – and us, too – that “the wound is the only route to the gift” that even our grief can be for us, as people of faith.Not that we would ever choose the grief that comes our way …Not that we deserve the deep sadness and struggle that finds us, too often, on this side of heaven …But that, because God shows up in Jesus to walk the way of suffering before and beside us as we go, we can remind ourselves and each other that God does God's best work in the dark, sad, scary places of our lives.See, I believe God showed up, in Jesus, to remind us that the only way through the grief that finds us in this life – and toward the healing and hope we desire and deserve – is to trust that it won't last forever; that we don't need to fear or deny or avoid or pretend that it shouldn't exist; that we can come to and through the wounds of our sadness and struggle… We can touch and tend to what hurts us most… (“The wound is the only route to the gift.”)And we can share all of that with one another, without fear, shame, or hesitation. And we can let the light of God's grace – the light that shines in the darkness – shine in our direction, too. And we can let it heal what we cannot, on our own … and we can let it bless our lives with the love that is born for us all, even and especially in our darkest days … with thanks for this Jesus – who was, who is, and who is to come.Amen. Merry Christmas.

For those who have been with us from the beginning, you might remember how this podcast started with just Matt and Dave, and how we didn't tell each other the question we were going to bring in, and just stumbled our way through thinking on our feet about how we might answer that question. We are recapturing a bit of that feeling in this episode! We sat down at our microphones at our normally-scheduled recording hour…and looked at each other expectantly, waiting for someone to remind us what our topic was for this week's episode. We quickly realized that we never agreed on a topic! But we decided to go forward, and record anyway. We hope that this conversation gives you a further sense of who we really are behind our podcast personas! Matt gave us a little direction by sharing an Advent piece by Frederick Buechner to begin, and we launched into a ranging conversation about what gives us hope right now. We also talk about recommendation letters, the amazing students we get to teach, some recent adventures in pedagogy, things we are grateful for, and other playful shenanigans. Maybe this episode will be a good reminder to take some time to check in and connect with your colleagues! Hallway Conversations is sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education. You can learn more about the good work CACE is doing at https://cace.org/ In this episode, Dave mentions Andy Crouch's book, The Life We're Looking For, which is one of his favorites lately. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+life+we%27re+looking+for&hvadid=593689271884

Marty Solomon, Brent Billings, and Reed Dent look to Hosea 4 to answer the question of how we can find ourselves in a mess like this.BEMA 386: Psalms — The Whole Human Experience“Lord's Supper” by Frederick Buechner

If you're feeling the weight of past trauma and struggling to heal, then you are not alone! The journey to healing from abuse and trauma is often filled with challenges, and finding the right tools to navigate this journey can be overwhelming. But what if there was a resource that could guide you through this process and help you cultivate well-being? In this episode, you will be able to: Explore the transformative power of therapy in healing from abuse and trauma and reclaiming your well-being. Uncover the impact of narcissism in church leadership and gain insights into navigating the complexities of this issue. Discover the invaluable benefits of professional mental health support and how it can positively impact your healing journey. Understand the profound connection between attachment issues and trauma recovery and how it influences your healing process. Embrace the role of self-regulation in effective leadership and learn how it can enhance your personal and professional growth. My special guest is Dr. Chuck DeGroat Chuck DeGroat is a professor of pastoral care and Christian spirituality at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, where he also serves as the founding executive director of the clinical mental health counseling program. He is a licensed therapist, spiritual director, author, retreat leader speaker, and faculty member with the Soul Care Institute. As a therapist, he specializes in navigating issues of abuse and trauma, pastoral (and leadership) health, and doubt and dark nights on the faith journey. He trains clergy in handling issues of abuse and trauma, conducts pastor and planter assessments, and facilitates church consultations and investigations of abuse. Before transitioning to training and forming pastors, Chuck served as a pastor in Orlando and San Francisco. He and his wife, Sara, have been married for 30 years and have two adult daughters. Listen to our previous episode with Chuck DeGroat on EPS 42. The key moments in this episode are: 00:11:03 - Faux Vulnerability in Church Leadership 00:13:09 - Misuse of Self-Work for Immunity 00:13:40 - Dysfunctional Dynamics in Churches 00:14:58 - Toxic Leadership and Manipulation 00:19:06 - Nervous System Dysregulation 00:22:10 - Healing Attachment Wounds 00:25:52 - Transformation and Non-Anxious Presence 00:26:17 - Recognizing Patterns of Toxic Behavior 00:27:24 - Accountability and Systemic Change 00:29:15 - Rebuilding for the Future 00:30:49 - Understanding Shame Dynamics 00:35:15 - Rediscovering the Goodness of the Heart 00:39:20 - Men Doing Deeper Work 00:40:02 - Bullying and Women 00:41:15 - Complimenting Each Other's Work 00:41:39 - Encouraging Curiosity and Healing 00:42:42 - Embracing Curiosity and Healing 00:53:11 - Finding Healing and Freedom Trauma is not what happens to us, but what happens within. - Chuck DeGroat Pre-order Healing What's Within by Dr. Chuck DeGroat on his website chuckdegroat.net. Join the Launch Team. Join the Patreon community at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference to access exclusive content, including additional insights from Dr. Chuck DeGroat. Explore additional resources recommended by Dr. Chuck DeGroat at the end of each chapter, such as Dan Allender's To Be Told: Know Your Story, Shape Your Life and Frederick Buechner's Telling Secrets. Engage in introspective and mindful practices to support your healing journey, such as deep breathing, visualization, EMDR and brainspotting. Gift Healing What's Within to friends or loved ones who could benefit from the valuable tools and insights shared in the book. Follow the podcast here: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/aworldofdifference/ https://www.twitter.com/@awodpod https://www.youtube.com/@aworldofdifference https://www.facebook.com/A-World-of-Difference-613933132591673/ https://www.instagram.com/aworldof.difference https://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is this quote by writer and theologian Frederick Buechner. He writes, “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid.” …But I always sort of wanted to amend his original words. Because the more honest truth is: “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Be a little afraid.” Life is so beautiful. And life is so hard. For everyone. Sometimes at the same time. That is the premise behind my latest book of meditations called Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! Perhaps these reflections on hope and fear in the midst of our real lives resonate with whatever it is you're facing today. Pick up a copy (or listen on audio) wherever books are sold.   Watch clips from this conversation, read the full transcript, and access discussion questions by clicking here or visiting katebowler.com/podcasts. Follow Kate on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly known as Twitter)—@katecbowler. Links to social pages and more available at linktr.ee/katecbowler.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this interpolated episode among those on our slow-walk through Dante's masterpiece, COMEDY, let's discuss the specific sin of anger (or wrath), particularly as it related to both PURGATORIO (the canticle we're in) and INFERNO (where we've come from).Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we explore the definitions and inside-the-poem problems of anger.If you'd like to help underwrite the fees associated with this podcast, please consider donating a one-time gift or a small monthly stipend through this PayPal link right here.Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:[01:22] Anger is the first sin or human failing found overtly in both INFERNO (at cantos VII and VIII) and PURGATORIO (at cantos XV - XVII).[08:14] Dante's earlier thoughts on the answer to wrath in CONVIVIO.[12:10] Why is calling anger a sin such a problem in Christian theology?[16:02] Comparing INFERNO, Cantos XV and XVI, with PURGATORIO, Cantos XV and XVI.[21:00] Frederick Buechner's definition of anger from WISHFUL THINKING: A SEEKER'S ABC.

Brent Billings and Reed Dent listen to the voice of Psalm 19.Firefly [Lightning Bug] — WikipediaWishful Thinking by Frederick BuechnerPsalm 19: The Heavens Declare the Glory of God — Aleph BetaReflections: Christianity Makes Sense of the World — C. S. Lewis Institute“The Merton Prayer” — Reflections, Yale Divinity School

Brent Billings, Reed Dent, and Josh Bossé discuss Psalm 13.The Message of the Psalms by Walter BrueggemannTelling the Truth by Frederick BuechnerBEMA 282: John — The Dance of Grief