Podcasts about Spiritual formation

How do we actually become more like Jesus? Pastor Adriel Sanchez argues that the key to spiritual formation is not through private spiritual habits and practices done alone, but the community and worship of the local church. GET YOUR FREE SOLA NEWSPAPER A quarterly print publication featuring articles on theology, the historic creeds and confessions, and reflections for the Christian life, delivered straight to your mailbox. For free. FOLLOW US YouTube | Instagram | X/Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter WHO WE ARE Sola Media serves today's global church by producing resources for reformation grounded in the historic Christian faith. For over thirty-five years, Sola has walked alongside Christians in their faith, pointing away from novelty and ourselves, and toward Christ and his gospel as proclaimed in the Scriptures, articulated in the ancient Christian Creeds, and summarized in the confessions of the Protestant Reformation. Learn more: https://solamedia.org/

There are at least three wrong ways to write about heaven, and Brian Zahnd spent his new book carefully avoiding all of them — too sentimental, too sensational, too escapist to bother caring about the world right in front of us.In this conversation, Brian and Michael talk about why heaven isn't a far-off destination but a realm woven through the space between every atom of this one, and why love and wonder might be the most reliable hints we get of its nearness. Brian shares the mystical moment in Rocky Mountain National Park that reshaped his understanding of the incarnation and makes the case that a faith stripped of transcendence eventually collapses into mere politics — however well-intentioned.They also talk about pilgrimage, the discipline of praying written prayers, and why so many people are having real spiritual experiences with no idea where it's safe to talk about them.Brian Zahnd is a pastor of forty-four years and author of Unseen Existences: Of Heaven, Earth, and the Divine Mystery in All Things.Find Brian Zahnd online here.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!

In Part 2 of this conversation, Stasi welcomes back Blaine Eldredge, Director of Spiritual Formation at Wild at Heart, to continue unpacking the mystery of beauty—the beauty that flows from our intimacy with Jesus. Together they explore the vulnerability and courage it takes to let our true selves be seen in a world that wounds beauty so deeply, and the healing ways Jesus continues to draw near with tenderness, restoration, and a love that calls out the beauty within us. Come and rediscover the beauty of God alive in us.…..SHOW NOTES:…..VERSES: John 15:9 (NIV) – As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.1 John 4:19 (NIV) – We love because he first loved us.John 8:3–11 (NIV) – The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ... Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”Hosea 2:19 (NIV) – I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.Romans 8:22 (NIV) – We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.Revelation 21:5 (NIV) – He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”…..CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS00:00 Returning to the Mystery of Beauty01:42 Beauty That Builds Relationship07:10 What True Beauty Really Is13:48 The Vulnerability of Being Seen18:50 Beauty That Risks Love24:03 Why the Enemy Attacks Beauty30:20 The Beauty of a Forgiving Heart33:22 Jesus and the Woman Accused38:47 What Jesus Does to Win Our Love43:08 Becoming Beautiful to Jesus46:07 Carrying Beauty Into Our Relationships47:24 Closing Prayer and Blessing…..RESOURCESIf you haven't listened to Part 1 — E123 | Beauty, Vulnerability, and the Heart of God — you can do so here: YouTube:  ⁠https://youtu.be/crrX6S-P5NI⁠Wild at Heart App:  ⁠https://wahe.art/3SfAXge⁠Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John and Stasi Eldredge   ⁠https://wahe.art/3L9tLMc⁠Becoming Myself: Embracing God's Dream of You by Stasi Eldredge  ⁠https://amzn.to/4hzdQUL⁠The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown ⁠https://amzn.to/4vk2NpW⁠…..Don't Miss Out on the Next Episode—Subscribe for FreeSubscribe using your favorite podcast app:YouTube – ⁠https://wahe.art/4h8DelL⁠Spotify Podcasts – ⁠https://wahe.art/496zdfn⁠Apple Podcasts – ⁠https://apple.co/42E0oZ1⁠ Amazon Music & Audible – ⁠https://amzn.to/3M9u6hJ⁠

Parents often spend so much time navigating the needs of today that it's easy to lose sight of where we're ultimately headed. But what if raising children begins with keeping the end in mind? In this episode, Davies Owens welcomes Dr. Jennifer Freeman of the Rooted Families Initiative to discuss a framework for family discipleship that helps parents understand the unique opportunities and challenges of every stage of childhood—from infancy through young adulthood. Drawing from decades of mentoring college students and families, Jennifer shares practical wisdom for raising children who grow into wise, discerning adults who love Christ. Tune in to hear: Why parenting is most effective when we keep the end goal in view. Jennifer's five stages of family discipleship and how each stage requires something different from parents. How to encourage healthy independence without withdrawing guidance. Why meaningful conversations become increasingly important during the teen years. How parents can prepare young adults for adulthood without trying to control every outcome. Why seasons of questioning and doubt can become important milestones in developing mature faith. Practical encouragement for trusting God's work in your children's lives through every stage. Rather than offering another parenting formula, Jennifer encourages parents to see themselves as beloved caregivers, partnering with God as He forms their children over time. Whether you're holding a newborn, navigating middle school, or preparing to launch a young adult, this conversation offers hope, perspective, and practical guidance for every season. Special Thanks to our partners who make BaseCamp Live possible: Wisdom and EloquenceThe Herzog FoundationLife ArchitectsWisephone by TechlessZipCastWilson Hill Academy Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.comDon't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Chad Chambers, Executive Director of C.H.A.R.M. Prison Ministry, shows us that growing in godliness is not passive. It requires the same intentional effort and discipline we give to every other area of life. Based on 1 Timothy 4:6-16, the foundation of spiritual growth begins with where we place our hope. When our hope is set on the living God, our worship follows naturally, and our worship shapes who we become. Whatever captures our hearts will ultimately form our character, our values, and how we spend our time, talents, and treasures. Practically, training for godliness means knowing God's Word, obeying it, fulfilling the work He has called us to, and persisting even when it is hard. Our hope determines our worship, our worship forms our identity, and our identity directs everything we do. Set your hope on the living God, and let everything else follow from there.

In this message from The Beatitudes, Caleb Cole teaches from Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” A pure heart is not a perfect heart, but an undivided heart surrendered to God. Through Scripture, Caleb challenges us to examine our speech, money, thoughts, actions, and eyes, and to ask Jesus for a new heart that can truly see and experience God. (00:00) - Matthew 5 and The Beatitudes (02:13) - Blessed Are the Pure in Heart (03:34) - The Heart as the Center of a Person (05:00) - What Blessed Means (06:00) - What Pure in Heart Means (07:30) - A Pure Heart Is an Undivided Heart (09:00) - Your Speech Reveals Your Heart (11:10) - Your Money Reveals Your Heart (16:00) - Your Thoughts Reveal Your Heart (18:00) - How Our Thoughts Become Tainted (21:00) - Taking Every Thought Captive (22:00) - Your Actions Reveal Your Heart (24:00) - You Must Be Born Again (26:10) - Ask God for a Pure Heart (29:20) - Guard Your Eyes (32:00) - The Promise of Seeing God (36:00) - A Prayer for a New Heart

How can we live without fear when suffering feels overwhelming? In this message, we see through the life of Darlene Deibler Rose that Christ's command to “fear not” calls us to trust the Lord more than our circumstances, feelings, or fears (Matthew 10:28). From the mission field of New Guinea to imprisonment under the Japanese during World War II, Darlene learned that Jesus could never be locked out, even from a death-row cell. Her testimony reminds us that God's promises are surer than our emotions, His presence is stronger than our terror, and His love casts out fear. As we fix our eyes on Christ, we too can walk by faith in the “evidence not seen,” trusting Him to keep us, sustain us, and use us for His glory.

If you've been feeling the pull to live for something bigger, to stop drifting and start responding, this message will meet you exactly where you are.

This week, we share a sermon offered by Rev. Bill Haley back in 2018. In John 15, Jesus reveals something profound— that he views his disciples not as servants but as friends. Bill unpacks this tremendous gift of grace and the ways this gift can shape our lives for the better.Learn More About Spiritual Direction through CoracleExplore the Full Archive of Bill's Sermonsinthecoracle.org  |  @inthecoracleSupport the showFor the Journey is a resource of the Coracle Center of Formation for Action and is made possible through the generous support of men and women across the globe.

A Conversation About Spiritual Formation-Brooks Rice by FC Young Adults Podcast

People leave churches for reasons that sound small at first, until you're living in the aftermath: a leadership change, a shift in culture, a relationship that breaks, a conflict that won't resolve, a sense that something went genuinely wrong. When that happens, the question isn't only “How do we fix this?” It's “What actually holds Christians together when everything feels unstable?” Stephen Feith leads us into the opening of 1 John with that exact problem in view, because this kind of fracture has been part of church life for thousands of years. We sit with John's first move and it's not what most of us expect. He doesn't start with personalities, hot takes, or a cleanup plan. He starts with Jesus as real and witnessed: heard, seen, looked at, and touched. That sensory language isn't decoration. It anchors Christian faith in the historical Jesus Christ and keeps a divided community from chasing a newer, more marketable message. We also unpack what John means by “eternal life,” not just endless time, but the fullness of the life to come and the wholeness God promises. From there, the conversation turns to a word churches use all the time: fellowship. We can manufacture affinity by gathering people with similar tastes, backgrounds, and frustrations, but John is talking about something deeper. Christian fellowship is shared participation in the life of God through Jesus, and that's why it holds when preferences change, people disappoint us, and nostalgia can't be recovered. We close by returning to communion as a lived reminder that unity is received at Christ's table, not produced by our own strength. Subscribe, share this with a friend who's rebuilding after church conflict, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you're trying to live this week.Support the showIf you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to Madison Church on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback means the world to us, so please take a moment to leave a review and share the podcast with your friends and family.For inquiries, suggestions, or collaboration opportunities, please reach out to us at help@madisonchurch.com.For the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on social media:FacebookInstagramYouTubeNew episodes are released every Monday, so mark your calendars and join us weekly!If you'd like to support the show, you can make a donation here. Your generosity helps us continue to bring you meaningful content.This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The views expressed by the hosts or guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Madison Church. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. For detailed information regarding our terms of use and privacy policy, please visit our website.Thank you for being part of the Madison Church community! We appreciate your support.

What if Jesus spoke one word over your life today: “Be opened.” In Episode 172 of the 2 Minute Disciple podcast, we meditate on Mark 7:31–37, where Jesus gently leads a deaf man away from the crowd before healing him with the Aramaic word “Ephphatha”—“Be opened.” This miracle reveals more than Christ's power to heal physical deafness. It reveals His compassionate heart. Jesus doesn't perform for the crowd; He meets the man personally, touches his ears and tongue, sighs with compassion, and speaks a life-changing word. The same invitation echoes into our lives today. Where have our hearts become closed by disappointment? Where have our ears grown dull to God's voice? Where has fear kept us from speaking the truth God has placed within us? Through guided prayer, contemplative reflection, and a simple practice of listening, this episode invites you to receive Christ's healing word personally and to become more attentive to His presence. In this episode: • Mark 7:31–37 devotional reflection • Jesus heals the deaf man • The meaning of “Ephphatha” • Learning to hear God's voice • Christian meditation and contemplative prayer • Spiritual openness and healing • Listening to Jesus in everyday life

What does persistent faith look like when God's response seems difficult or delayed? In Episode 171 of the 2 Minute Disciple podcast, we meditate on Mark 7:24–30, one of the most challenging and profound encounters in the Gospels. A Gentile woman approaches Jesus, pleading for her daughter's healing, and receives an unexpected response. Yet instead of walking away discouraged, she responds with remarkable humility, courage, and unwavering faith. Her simple reply—“Even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children's plates”—reveals a heart that trusts completely in the mercy of Christ. Jesus honors her faith, and her daughter is healed. This contemplative devotional explores the beauty of persistent prayer, humble faith, and trusting God's goodness even when His timing or His answers are difficult to understand. Through guided prayer, Scripture reflection, and a practical spiritual exercise, you'll be encouraged to bring your unanswered prayers back to Jesus with renewed confidence. Whether you're praying for healing, reconciliation, direction, or breakthrough, this episode reminds us that the mercy of Jesus is more than enough—and that faithful persistence is never wasted. In this episode: • Mark 7:24–30 devotional reflection • The faith of the Syrophoenician woman • Persistent prayer and humble trust • God's mercy for all people • Christian meditation and contemplative prayer • Trusting Jesus through delayed answers • Growing in resilient faith

What if everything you believe about success, happiness, and blessing is backwards?In this episode of the MetaChurch Podcast, Pastor Clayton and Sherri Richard (Everyday Truths) dive deep into Luke 6 and Jesus' Sermon on the Plain. Together they unpack the Beatitudes and Woes, exploring why Jesus calls the poor, hungry, grieving, and rejected "blessed" while warning those who place their security in wealth, comfort, and approval.They discuss:✅ Why Jesus turns worldly values upside down✅ The hidden danger of seeking approval and status✅ Social media, identity, and the need to be liked✅ Finding security in God instead of circumstances✅ Living with a "Pilgrim's Perspective"✅ How the Kingdom of God changes life right nowIf you've ever struggled with fear, control, comparison, or wondering where true fulfillment comes from, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

Today, we are reprising one of our most popular conversations of the past year with Dr. David C. Wang. David will be with us again at Regent this summer, from June 29 to July 3, teaching Trauma & Spiritual Formation: Principles & Practices for Leadership. In this conversation, he touches on many themes that will be discussed in the class, including types of trauma, adverse childhood experiences and ministry leaders, caring for oneself and others in the aftermath of trauma, and what we can learn from those who have experienced trauma in our church communities. Consider joining us in the classroom or online if you want to be part of this important conversation.David's BioDr. David C. Wang is Cliff and Joyce Penner Chair for the Formation of Emotionally Healthy Leaders and Professor of Psychology and Spiritual Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is also Pastor of Spiritual Formation at One Life City Church in Fullerton, California, and a licensed psychologist. He oversees research grants on the human and spiritual formation of global and ecumenical Christian leaders (www.globalformationproject.com) and mobilizing diverse local congregations to meet the spiritual and mental health needs of trauma survivors.Related ContentThe Scars of the Resurrected Christ: What They Teach Us About Trauma, the Christian Life, and Vocation (Regent Vine Article, Sept 2025)Regent College PodcastThanks for listening. Please like, rate and review us on your podcast platform of choice and share this episode with a friend. Follow Us on Social MediaFacebookInstagramYoutubeKeep in TouchRegent CollegeSummer ProgramsRegent College Newsletter

Where does our greatest spiritual problem really begin? In Episode 170 of the 2 Minute Disciple podcast, we meditate on Mark 7:14–23, where Jesus turns conventional thinking upside down by declaring that what truly defiles a person is not what enters from the outside but what flows from within the heart. As Jesus lists the attitudes and desires that emerge from the human heart—pride, greed, envy, deceit, lust, and more—He isn't inviting us into shame. He's inviting us into honesty. The deepest transformation God desires isn't merely outward behavior modification but inward renewal through the work of the Holy Spirit. This contemplative devotional explores the difference between managing appearances and allowing Christ to transform us at the source. Through guided prayer, Scripture reflection, and a practical spiritual exercise, you'll be encouraged to bring your heart honestly before God and invite Him to do the work only He can accomplish. Whether you're wrestling with recurring sin, hidden struggles, or simply longing for deeper spiritual growth, this episode reminds us that Jesus doesn't settle for cleaning the outside—He lovingly transforms us from the inside out. In this episode: • Mark 7:14–23 devotional reflection • Jesus on true purity and the human heart • Inner transformation through the Holy Spirit • Moving beyond external religion • Christian meditation and contemplative prayer • Honest confession and spiritual growth • Experiencing God's renewing work from the inside out

"AI, Fake Church, and Traps We Can Fall Into" dives into how pastors, small group leaders, and everyday Christians are using tools like ChatGPT, and where it quietly crosses the line into counterfeit spirituality, hollow sermons, and “plastic” discipleship. Dave Leake and guest Jordan Kolarik unpack the tension between convenience and true spiritual formation, asking if AI is short‑circuiting our time in Scripture, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and the call to be authentic, “analog” disciples in a digital age. If you've ever wondered whether it's okay to use AI for devotionals, Bible study, or preaching, this conversation will help you discern the difference between helpful tools and fake church.

Send us Fan MailLife often presents us with tensions that cannot be neatly resolved. We experience joy and grief, certainty and mystery, hope and disappointment—all at the same time. In this episode of Summer Series 2026, Tim Stewart welcomes artist, author, and storyteller Scott Erickson for a rich conversation about learning to find beauty within those tensions.Together, they explore how prayer, creativity, grief, and wonder shape our spiritual lives. Scott reflects on the role of paradox in faith, why art can help us process experiences that words alone cannot capture, and how healing often begins when we stop trying to force simple answers.The conversation also examines the idea of the "wounded healer," the importance of honest prayer, and how beauty can open us to deeper encounters with God in the midst of life's complexities.In this episode:• Why paradox is central to the spiritual journey• Learning to find beauty in tension and uncertainty• Prayer as an ongoing conversation with God• The relationship between creativity and spiritual formation• Grief, healing, and transformation• Becoming a wounded healer for others• Discovering meaning in life's unresolved spaces

Is it possible to use religion as an excuse for disobedience? In Episode 169 of the 2 Minute Disciple podcast, we meditate on Mark 7:9–13, where Jesus confronts the religious leaders for allowing human traditions to override God's command to honor father and mother. By declaring their resources “Corban,” they appeared deeply devoted to God while neglecting their responsibility to care for their parents. Jesus exposes a timeless temptation: using spiritual language, religious activity, or good intentions to avoid the clear commands of God. This contemplative devotional invites us to examine our own lives with honesty. Are there places where we've become skilled at justifying delayed obedience? Have busyness, tradition, or even ministry become reasons for avoiding what God has already made clear? Through guided prayer, reflective meditation, and a practical spiritual exercise, you'll be encouraged to close the gap between hearing God's Word and living it. Whether God is calling you to forgive, reconcile, honor someone, give generously, or take another step of obedience, this episode reminds us that true worship is expressed through faithful action. In this episode: • Mark 7:9–13 devotional reflection • Jesus confronts religious hypocrisy • Honoring father and mother • Human tradition versus God's commands • Christian meditation and contemplative prayer • Obedience over religious performance • Closing the gap between faith and action Slow down, listen, and let God's Word shape your obedience. Keywords Mark 7 9-13, honoring parents, honor your father and mother, Corban, human tradition, Mark 7 devotional, obedience to God, Christian meditation podcast, contemplative Christianity, Christian devotional podcast, religious hypocrisy, spiritual formation, Bible meditation, Christian discipleship, daily Christian encouragement, faith and obedience, Christian prayer podcast, biblical meditation, authentic Christianity, Gospel of Mark study, Christian spiritual growth, following Jesus, God's commands, Christian living, 2 Minute Disciple SEO Tags Mark 7, Mark 7:9-13, Honor Your Father and Mother, Corban, Human Tradition, Obedience, Christian Podcast, Bible Meditation, Christian Devotional, Contemplative Prayer, Gospel of Mark, Spiritual Formation, Christian Discipleship, Religious Hypocrisy, Authentic Faith, Christian Growth, Daily Devotional, Christian Meditation, Scripture Reflection, Following Jesus, Faith and Obedience, Christian Encouragement, Bible Study, Christian Living, 2 Minute DiscipleIs it possible to use religion as an excuse for disobedience? In Episode 169 of the 2 Minute Disciple podcast, we meditate on Mark 7:9–13, where Jesus confronts the religious leaders for allowing human traditions to override God's command to honor father and mother. By declaring their resources “Corban,” they appeared deeply devoted to God while neglecting their responsibility to care for their parents. Jesus exposes a timeless temptation: using spiritual language, religious activity, or good intentions to avoid the clear commands of God. This contemplative devotional invites us to examine our own lives with honesty. Are there places where we've become skilled at justifying delayed obedience? Have busyness, tradition, or even ministry become reasons for avoiding what God has already made clear? Through guided prayer, reflective meditation, and a practical spiritual exercise, you'll be encouraged to close the gap between hearing God's Word and living it. Whether God is calling you to forgive, reconcile, honor someone, give generously, or take another step of obedience, this episode reminds us that true worship is expressed through faithful action. In this episode: • Mark 7:9–13 devotional reflection • Jesus confronts religious hypocrisy • Honoring father and mother • Human tradition versus God's commands • Christian meditation and contemplative prayer • Obedience over religious performance • Closing the gap between faith and action Slow down, listen, and let God's Word shape your obedience. Keywords SEO Tags Mark 7, Mark 7:9-13, Honor Your Father and Mother, Corban, Human Tradition, Obedience, Christian Podcast, Bible Meditation, Christian Devotional, Contemplative Prayer, Gospel of Mark, Spiritual Formation, Christian Discipleship, Religious Hypocrisy, Authentic Faith, Christian Growth, Daily Devotional, Christian Meditation, Scripture Reflection, Following Jesus, Faith and Obedience, Christian Encouragement, Bible Study, Christian Living, 2 Minute Disciple

Father Alex continues our series on Anglican distinctives with a lesson on Mortification and Fasting as practical exercises of faith.

Can religious habits become obstacles to knowing God? In Episode 168 of the 2 Minute Disciple podcast, we meditate on Mark 7:1–8, where Jesus challenges the Pharisees for elevating human traditions above the heart of God's commands. Their concern was ceremonial handwashing, but Jesus saw a deeper issue: worship that honored God with words while the heart remained distant. This contemplative devotional explores one of the most subtle dangers of spiritual life—the drift from authentic relationship with God into mere religious routine. While traditions, practices, and rhythms can be powerful tools for spiritual growth, Jesus reminds us that they were never meant to replace genuine devotion. Through guided prayer, Scripture reflection, and a practical spiritual exercise, you'll be invited to examine your own spiritual habits and ask whether they are drawing you closer to God or simply becoming familiar routines. Whether you've been following Jesus for decades or are just beginning your faith journey, this episode offers a gentle invitation to bring your heart back into your worship. In this episode: • Mark 7:1–8 devotional reflection • Jesus and the traditions of the Pharisees • Worship from the heart • The danger of empty religious routine • Christian meditation and contemplative prayer • Spiritual renewal and authentic faith • Examining spiritual habits and practices

Mark Scandrette has spent over twenty years wrestling with a hard realization: knowing a lot about God doesn't mean you're good at following Jesus. Dave Kludt spent fifteen years in pastoral ministry learning that everything, down to how you arrange the chairs in a room, forms people. Together they co-teach a Doctor of Ministry cohort at Fuller Seminary built around two words: integral and embodied. Mark is the founder of Reimagine and author of Practicing the Way of Jesus and The Ninefold Path of Jesus, and a longtime friend of the podcast (he first joined us back on episode 112). Dave is the president of Reimagine's board, a former pastor of 15 years, and Mark's partner in this new cohort, a Substack, and an upcoming podcast.IN THIS CONVERSATION:Why "getting more information" doesn't lead to transformation, and what doesWhat Dave means by an "integral" approach to formation, and why it starts with facing the world's fractures honestlyWhat Mark means by "embodied" formation, and the Learning Lab model Reimagine uses to teach by doingWhy the leader of a Learning Lab has to be a participant, not just an expertMoving from a "closed fist" to an "open hand" posture toward your next stepWhy discomfort with failure gets in the way of formation in many churchesHow Mark and Dave use the Enneagram as a formation tool, not a personality quizThe "formation edges" Mark and Dave are each working on right nowMark and Dave's hopes for the Fuller Doctor of Ministry cohort on integral and embodied formationRELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:markscandrette.com — Mark's websitereimagine.org — Mark and Dave's organizationFuller Seminary's Doctor of Ministry programBooks mentioned:Practicing the Way of Jesus, by Mark ScandretteThe Ninefold Path of Jesus, by Mark ScandretteRELATED EPISODES:The Beatitudes and Spiritual Leadership, with Mark ScandretteThe Spiritual Life of a Leader, with Tod BolsingerThe Neuroscience of Spiritual Formation, with Jim WilderSend me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Grace Through Faith vs. Self-Effort Spiritual Formation - A Critique of Practicing the Way, presented by Bob DeWaay and Barb Gretch. Bob DeWaay examines John Mark Comer's view of self-effort in spiritual formation and contrasts it with Colossians 1:36. Learn why Paul taught that believers bear fruit through God's grace received by faith, not through human striving. (duration 00:21:25) Click here to play

What does it look like to stand for truth with both courage and gentleness? In this message, we are reminded through the life of William Wilberforce that Christ calls us to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Though surrounded by the spiritual darkness and injustice of the British slave trade, Wilberforce's heart was transformed by the gospel, and God used him to shine the light of Christ boldly in public life. Through years of opposition, criticism, and discouragement, he persevered in prayer, conviction, and compassion, trusting the Lord to bring lasting change. His life challenges us to faithfully stand for truth wherever God has placed us, relying not on our own strength but on Christ's wisdom and grace to reflect His love to a broken world.

Have you ever felt like you were one more hard thing away from completely falling apart? Like the weight of everything you're carrying — the loss, the grief, the disappointment, the unanswered prayers — was just too much to hold anymore? If that's where you are right now, this message was made for you.

Have you ever felt like God was silent, distant, or absent? In this powerful conversation, Kyle Strobel shares how seasons of spiritual dryness can become some of the most transformative moments in a believer's life. Discover why faith isn't built on emotional highs and how God often does His deepest work in the desert. If you're struggling with doubt, discouragement, or spiritual fatigue, this episode offers biblical hope and practical encouragement.About the GuestKyle Strobel is the Director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation and Associate Professor of Spiritual Theology at Talbot School of Theology. He is a theologian, author, speaker, and co-author of When God Seems Distant and Where Prayer Becomes Real. His work focuses on spiritual formation, prayer, and helping Christians experience genuine transformation in Christ. Reasons to ListenHope for Dry Seasons Discover why spiritual dryness is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong, but may actually be evidence that God is deepening your faith and transforming your heart. Practical Spiritual Formation Learn practical ways to continue praying, reading Scripture, and walking with Jesus when emotions and motivation disappear. Biblical Perspective Gain a deeper understanding of the Psalms, suffering, weakness, and God's surprising work in seasons that feel spiritually barren. Big TakeawaysGod Works in Deserts Seasons of spiritual dryness are often places where God exposes deeper issues of the heart and teaches us to trust Him by faith rather than feelings. Feelings Aren't Faith God's presence is not measured by emotional experiences. Mature faith learns to trust God's promises even when He feels distant. Weakness Reveals Need Spiritual growth happens when we recognize how much we need God's forgiveness, grace, and transforming work. The Psalms Give Language Honest prayers found in the Psalms help believers bring their confusion, disappointment, and struggles directly to God. Transformation Over Information Knowledge alone cannot produce Christlike character. Spiritual formation requires surrender, humility, and dependence on Jesus. Missional ChallengesPray the Psalms Daily Spend the next seven days praying one Psalm each day, allowing Scripture to shape your honest conversations with God. Practice Honest Prayer Bring one area of discouragement, doubt, or weakness directly to God instead of hiding it behind religious performance. Encourage a Struggling Believer Reach out to someone who may be experiencing spiritual dryness and remind them that God remains faithful even when He feels distant. Chapters00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Kyle Strobel 01:00 – Kyle's Personal Journey Through Spiritual Darkness 05:00 – Discovering the "Dark Night of the Soul" 10:00 – Why Information Doesn't Equal Transformation 13:00 – Understanding Spiritual Dryness in the Christian Life 16:00 – The Lifeline of Honest Community 17:00 – Learning to Pray the Psalms 19:00 – Why Churches Rarely Discuss Spiritual Dryness 25:00 – Passion vs. Deep Affection for Jesus 26:00 – Moving from Zeal to Steadfast Faithfulness 34:00 – What Churches Need to Understand About the Desert 37:00 – Practical Ways to Walk with God in Dry Seasons 43:00 – Finding God in Weakness 44:00 – Final Encouragement for Struggling Believers 45:00 – Fun Questions & Favorite Psalms 49:00 – Where to Connect with Kyle StrobelGuest Website & Social MediaBuy 'When God Seems Distant' BookWebsiteKyle Strobel Substack #themissionallife #themissionallifepodcast #Jesus #KyleStrobel #SpiritualFormation #PrayerLife #ChristianGrowth #FaithJourney #WhenGodSeemsDistant #ChristianPodcast

Carl Tinnion is an Anglican minister and former YWAM leader with a heart for creativity, imagination, and genuine community in the Church. In this episode, he opens up about his passion for those who've been hurt or disillusioned — and what it looks like to find true belonging in the Body of Christ.For more content from Carl:The Creative Word Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DhgmTY4nlkEyuxu5fUbhz?si=ef4b365948a74c90 YouTube Channel - Heavenly Nosh:youtube.com/@heavenlynosh44Find out more about YWAM Furnace below

What do you do when Jesus says something you don't understand? In Episode 166 of the 2 Minute Disciple podcast, we reflect on John 6:60–65, where even Jesus' disciples struggle to accept His teaching. Their response is honest: “This is very hard to understand. Who can accept it?” Rather than softening His message, Jesus points them toward a greater reality and reminds them that true understanding comes through the Holy Spirit. This contemplative devotional explores the tension between faith and understanding, the temptation to walk away from difficult teachings, and the invitation to remain with Jesus even when His words challenge us. Through guided prayer, Scripture meditation, and spiritual reflection, you'll be encouraged to trust God's Spirit when your mind cannot yet fully grasp what Christ is saying. Whether you're wrestling with doubt, confusion, or a difficult passage of Scripture, this episode offers a gentle reminder that faithfulness often begins by staying with Jesus through the hard things.

Understanding and working through grief and loss can be complex. Allen talks with Dr. David Sherbino on this complex topic.Dr. Sherbino has served at Tyndale Seminary for decades.He has taught pastoral ministry, spirituality, and grief care.He coordinates graduate programs in Spiritual Formation...And helps lead work connected to grief, loss, and pastoral care through Tyndale. He has spent years helping people navigate suffering...And helping ministry leaders care well for hurting people.Links:https://www.tyndale.ca/faculty/david-sherbinoHope For The Agora Podcast: https://hopefortheagora.comAgora Network Ministries: https://agoranetworkministries.com

Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood What if Jesus wants more than your belief? What if He wants your complete union with Him? In Episode 165 of 2 Minute Disciple, we meditate on John 6:52–59, one of the most challenging and misunderstood passages in all of Scripture. As the crowd struggles to understand Jesus' teaching, He does something surprising. He doesn't soften His words. He doesn't explain them away. Instead, He presses deeper. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you cannot have eternal life within you.” These words shocked His listeners, and they continue to challenge readers today. Jesus is not describing a distant relationship built on admiration, agreement, or occasional spiritual activity. He is describing a relationship as intimate and essential as food itself. Food becomes part of us. It nourishes us from within. It sustains our lives. In the same way, Jesus invites us to receive His life so deeply that His presence becomes the source of our strength, wisdom, peace, and identity. This is the language of abiding. “Anyone who eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him.” The Christian life is not merely following Jesus from a distance. It is living in continual communion with Him. His life becomes our life. His strength becomes our strength. His presence becomes the atmosphere in which we live and move. This passage reminds us that Christianity is not simply about believing truths about Jesus. It is about participating in His life. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why Jesus intensified His teaching when the crowd objected • What it means to “feed” on Christ spiritually • The biblical meaning of abiding in Jesus • How union with Christ transforms everyday life • A practical habit for practicing the presence of God Scripture John 6:52–59 (NLT)

Help bring to life a new Renovaré course: renovare.org/streams.Nathan Foster talks with author and priest Ragan Sutterfield on the sacramental nature of birding and other patient pursuits which train our attention so that we can live awake to our transcendent God and the invisible realm of his kingdom.

I Am the Bread of Life What are you feeding your soul with? In Episode 163 of 2 Minute Disciple, we meditate on John 6:35–40, where Jesus makes one of the most profound declarations in all of Scripture: “I am the Bread of Life.” The crowd has been searching for bread, signs, and provision. But Jesus reveals that their deepest need is not something He can give—it is Him. He is the true Bread from Heaven. He is the One who satisfies the hunger beneath every other hunger. Every human heart longs for something more: meaning, belonging, peace, purpose, security, and life that does not run dry. Jesus declares that these deepest longings ultimately find their fulfillment in Him. But this passage offers another remarkable promise. Jesus says: “Whoever comes to Me I will never reject.” Not sometimes. Not conditionally. Not only when we have everything together. Whoever comes. For weary believers, struggling disciples, and those wondering whether they truly belong, these words offer profound comfort. The invitation remains open, and the welcome remains secure. Jesus goes even further. He promises that those who belong to Him will not be lost. The Father's will is that Christ preserve and raise up all who trust in Him. Our hope rests not in the strength of our grip on Jesus, but in the strength of His grip on us. In this episode, you'll discover: • What Jesus means when He calls Himself the Bread of Life • Why our deepest hunger can only be satisfied by Christ • The comfort found in Jesus' promise to never reject those who come to Him • How spiritual security is rooted in God's faithfulness • A practical habit for turning toward Jesus throughout your day Scripture John 6:35–40 (NLT)

Send us Fan MailSuffering raises difficult questions about God, faith, and what it means to follow Jesus in a broken world. In this episode of Summer Series 2026, Tim Stewart welcomes theologian and author Dr. Kelly Kapic for an honest conversation about grief, pain, lament, and unanswered prayers.Drawing from years of academic research and personal experience caring for his wife through chronic illness, Dr. Kapic explores why Christians need to rediscover the language of lament, how we can acknowledge the realities of suffering without denying God's goodness, and why the Incarnation reveals a God who enters into our pain rather than remaining distant from it.Together, they discuss the importance of community in seasons of suffering, the relationship between forgiveness and healing, and how the Gospel offers not merely escape from this world, but participation in God's ongoing work of restoration.If you've wrestled with disappointment, loss, chronic pain, or questions about where God is in the midst of suffering, this episode offers thoughtful guidance, theological depth, and hope for the journey.In this episode:• Rediscovering lament as a faithful response to suffering• Holding together grief and God's goodness• Finding God's presence in pain through the Incarnation• Why honest faith makes room for sorrow and questions• The healing role of Christian community• Forgiveness as part of restoration and healing• Hope in the midst of grief, pain, and unanswered prayers

Stasi invites Blaine Eldredge, our Director of Spiritual Formation at Wild at Heart, for a conversation about recapturing beauty—not the exhausting beauty our culture demands, but the deeply personal beauty that originates in the heart of God. Together they explore how Jesus reveals a beauty that is vulnerable, relational, and inviting; a beauty that isn't based on performance, but draws us into His love. Come and rediscover the beauty that moves our hearts toward Him. This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation.…..SHOW NOTES:…..VERSES: Genesis 2:18 (NIV) – The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”Exodus 33:11 (NIV) – The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.Deuteronomy 34:10 (NIV) – Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.Song of Songs 2:14 (NIV) – My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.Hebrews 12:18–24 (NIV) – You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them… But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem… to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant.2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) – And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.John 4:16–18 (NIV) – He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband.”2 Kings 17:24–41 (NIV) – Clearly referenced in the discussion of the Samaritan people being brought from five nations associated with false gods and attempting to worship Yahweh alongside them.…..RESOURCESThe Green Ember by S.D. Smith  ⁠https://amzn.to/4dyvZCh⁠The Prophets by Abraham Joshua Heschel  ⁠https://amzn.to/4wUgygG⁠ The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel  ⁠https://amzn.to/4nEW8np⁠God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism by Abraham Joshua Heschel   ⁠https://amzn.to/49cEn99⁠Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle  ⁠https://amzn.to/495TaCE⁠Creation and Fall: A Theological Exposition of Genesis 1-3 by Dietrich Bonhoeffer ⁠https://amzn.to/4tPgr3h⁠Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)   ⁠https://amzn.to/3RvX3dV⁠The Glory of the Lord by Hans Urs von Balthasar  ⁠https://amzn.to/4wEjTA5⁠…..CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS00:00  The Beauty That Captures Our Hearts01:52  Jesus Pursuing the Hearts of Our Children06:11  Why Beauty Begins in God07:41  The Danger of “Instagram Face”11:12  How Empire Erases Personhood14:19  The False Beauty of Invulnerability17:19  Beauty, Limits, and Being Human19:42  Why the World Loves Artificial Beauty22:25  The Enemy's War Against True Beauty24:14  When Beauty Becomes Power26:14  The Beauty That Invites Relationship28:15  The Trinity and Relational Love30:23  God's Desire to See Our Faces33:09  Jesus' Beauty Is Deeply Personal34:45  Vulnerability at the Heart of Beauty36:11  Choosing Intimacy Over Universal Approval39:08  Why Every Woman Bears Beauty40:10  The Beauty of the Crucified Christ41:50  Jesus' Beauty Pursues Our Hearts42:58  The Samaritan Woman and Divine Love45:59  The Lordliness and Goodness of Jesus47:12  Becoming Like the One We Behold48:15  Closing Prayer…..Don't Miss Out on the Next Episode—Subscribe for FreeSubscribe using your favorite podcast app:YouTube – ⁠https://wahe.art/4h8DelL⁠Spotify Podcasts – ⁠https://wahe.art/496zdfn⁠Apple Podcasts – ⁠https://apple.co/42E0oZ1⁠ Amazon Music & Audible – ⁠https://amzn.to/3M9u6hJ⁠

Fr Alex continues our series about Anglican distinctives with a lesson on Christian Liberty.

In this episode, Brant Hansen argues that holding onto offense is killing us - spiritually, physically, and relationally. He had to decide whether the offense he experienced as a young person should be held on to or if he should release it. It led him to a simple, uncomfortable conclusion: righteous human anger doesn't exist in scripture, and the anger we carry, however justified it feels, is not what faithful people are called to hold. We talk about forgiveness, hypocrisy in the church, and what Jesus actually intended when he told us to love our enemies.Brant is an author of several bestselling books, including Unoffendable, and a syndicated radio host on more than 200 stations. His podcast, “The Brant and Sherri Oddcast” has more than 20 million downloads. He's been featured many times on outlets like Focus on the Family, Family Life Today, and Good Morning America.Brant and wife Carolyn live in South Florida. His latest book, Living Unoffended releases June 9.Brant's Book:Living UnoffendedBrant's Recommendation:The Matter With ThingsConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeSupport the podcast and the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

Join us for an insightful conversation where Filipe and Mandy Santos of Echo Church in the Bay Area interview John Ortberg and they explore spiritual formation, the origins of the 12-step program, and its relevance for church leaders today. Discover practical wisdom on character, vulnerability, and leveraging technology in a polarized culture.Spiritual formation is not just about personal growth; it's about leading others into a transformative relationship with God. John emphasizes that this process is essential for effective church leadership today. In a world filled with polarization and contempt, fostering a community centered on the teachings of Jesus is more crucial than ever. Ortberg notes, "The greatest opportunity ever offered to the human race is life in God's presence with friendship and guidance."Want to join a Steps group for pastors and church leaders? Email us at info@innovativechurchleaders.org.Key Insights:00:00 - Introduction to John Ortberg03:24 - The Journey of Faith and Ministry09:35 - Understanding the 12 Steps and Spiritual Formation19:53 - The Importance of Character in Leadership26:06 - Vulnerability and Accountability in Leadership31:49 - Navigating Technology and Community in the ChurchResources Mentioned:Become New with John OrtbergSteps by John OrtbergAndy Crouch's writings on technologyDallas Willard's worksEcho Church in the Bay Area of CAFilipe and Mandy SantosInnovative Church Leaders Newsletter: https://www.innovativechurchleaders.org/join-usFollow Innovative Church Leaders:Helping pastors experience and bring renewal through Spirit-led innovation.Website: https://www.innovativechurchleaders.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativechurchleadersFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InnovativeChurchLeadersTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@innovativechurchleadersYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovativechurchleadersLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovative-church-leaders/Download the Free Guide: "Why Innovation Matters and Our Innovative God" at https://www.innovativechurchleaders.org/Take our FREE Pastoral Health Checkup: https://pastoral-health.scoreapp.com/Keywords:spiritual formation, 12-step, church leadership, vulnerability, character, technology, culture, discipleship, addiction, community, John Ortberg, Filipe Santos, Mandy Santos, Echo Church, innovative church leaders

We can know we are loved and still not be able to let it in. The gap between believing something and feeling it in the body is not a faith problem — it's a physiological one.In this second conversation with Aundi Kolber, Michael and Julianne press deeper into what it actually takes to change: why being loved is not just a comfort but a biological prerequisite for growth, why asking someone to change before they feel safe is, in Aundi's word, cruel, and what it means to come home to yourself rather than keep fleeing from what hurts. Aundi also draws a line between the shame that keeps us stuck and the compassion that actually moves us — and why God is calling us home, not calling us out.This is a rebroadcast of one of the most-listened-to conversations in the show's ten-year history.Aundi Kolber is a licensed therapist and author of Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us Out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival and Into a Life of Connection and Joy.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!

Reject the "Renaissance" of Spiritual Formation - A Critique of Practicing the Way, presented by Bob DeWaay and Barb Gretch. John Mark Comer credits Richard Foster with launching a "renaissance" of spiritual formation in Protestantism. Bob DeWaay warns this movement replaces confidence in Scripture with mystical practices and calls believers to approach God through Christ alone. (duration 00:22:23) Click here to play

How might God use one praying life to awaken many? In John Hyde's life, we see Christ's command to “Pray for Laborers” lived out through fervent intercession, sacrificial evangelism, and deep dependence on Jesus. We are reminded that revival is often won first in the secret place, where God gives His people His own burden for souls. May we draw near to Christ, pray with holy urgency, and go gladly into His harvest field.

What if one question could completely change your life? Ricky reflects on a journey that took him from the brink of divorce and personal collapse to a life marked by deep blessing, restored relationships, and a generous spirit.

Pastor Colin Nanton delivers a message, "Spiritual Disciplines: A Necessary Practice for Spiritual Formation" at Life Church in Fort Myers, Florida. (Sunday, June 7th, 2026 - 11:00​AM) For more information, visit our website at: http://www.lifechurch.net Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifechurchfmy Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LifeChurchFMY

This week, we share a lecture offered by Rev. Bill Haley back in 2019 to culminate an ecumenical retreat coordinated by Truro Anglican Church. He makes the case that Protestant Christians have much to learn from the Benedictine tradition of contemplation as the wellspring for a stronger movement toward God and into the world.Explore Coracle's Expression of Monastic Life, "A Common Way"View Our Complete Archive of “Space for God” Prayer PracticesLearn More About Spiritual Direction through CoracleView Our Full Archive of Soundings SeminarsExplore the Full Archive of Bill's Sermonsinthecoracle.org  |  @inthecoracleSupport the showFor the Journey is a resource of the Coracle Center of Formation for Action and is made possible through the generous support of men and women across the globe.

Help bring to life a new Renovaré course: renovare.org/streams.In this bonus episode we share a conversation from a Renovaré webinar called Shaped by the Word. Host Carolyn Arends speaks with Tim Mackie and Carla Harding about how Scripture functions in the lives of Jesus' disciples to form us and draw us into a living relationship with Father Son and Spirit. 

What sustains faith when prayer feels flat and God seems distant—and there's no clear tragedy to explain it? Anglican priest and former New York Times columnist Tish Harrison Warren joins Macie Bridge to talk about weariness, burnout, and the quiet middle stretches of a long spiritual life. Drawing on her new book What Grows in Weary Lands, she turns to the Desert Fathers and Mothers for a resilience that resists both flaming out and numbing out. "It felt like the call had dropped, like the line had gone dead." In this episode with Macie Bridge, Warren reflects on her own season of spiritual aridity and the ancient counsel to stay in your cell rather than escape. Together they discuss the difference between burnout and weariness, acedia and the noonday demon, perseverance, silence as countercultural practice, and the world as a womb. They explore why escape rarely heals and what it means to trust the slow work of God. Episode Highlights "It felt like the call had dropped, like the line had gone dead." "I do not think vitamin D will solve what I'm talking about." "We're not having to hold our life together in the midst of weariness with will power and duct tape." "We kind of bring Times Square with us wherever we go now." "God doesn't need me to be impressive or achieving." About Tish Harrison Warren Tish Harrison Warren is a writer and an Anglican priest. She is the author of Liturgy of the Ordinary, named Christianity Today's 2018 Book of the Year, and Prayer in the Night, which won both Christianity Today's 2022 Book of the Year and the 2022 ECPA Christian Book of the Year. She formerly wrote a weekly newsletter for The New York Times on faith in public and private life and was a columnist for Christianity Today; her essays have appeared in Comment, The Point, and Religion News Service. She currently serves as the C. S. Lewis Theological Writer-in-Residence at Baylor's Truett Seminary, is a senior fellow with The Trinity Forum, and an assisting priest at Immanuel Anglican Church. (Source: tishharrisonwarren.com) Learn more and follow at tishharrisonwarren.com, Instagram @tishharrisonwarren, and X @Tish_H_Warren. Helpful Links and Resources What Grows in Weary Lands (newest book): https://tishharrisonwarren.com/whatgrowsinwearylands Liturgy of the Ordinary (most popular book): https://tishharrisonwarren.com/liturgy-of-the-ordinary Curt Thompson, referenced on the brain and community: https://curtthompsonmd.com/books/ Show Notes Writing from the middle of the process Weariness vs. burnout—bigger than the occupational "It felt like the call had dropped, like the line had gone dead." Two years at The New York Times—top of a career, bone-tired Spiritually tinged exhaustion, distinct from depression Comprehensive difficulty—work, marriage, church, politics, drama Post-COVID burnout talk; why the church rarely names this Craving emotional highs in contemporary Christian faith We lack stories of long, steady faith "I do not think vitamin D will solve what I'm talking about." Discovering the Desert Fathers and Mothers Acedia, the noonday demon—sloth, boredom, irritation, doubt Flame out, numb out, or go deep The cell as guiding metaphor—a rhythm of prayer and work "Stay in your cell"—counsel of St. Moses and Arsenius Resisting the lie that escape elsewhere brings contentment "The cell is actually this transformative place." Curt Thompson: the brain isn't made to do hard things alone A desert mother's maternal metaphor—the world as a womb "What is happening right now matters"—hope without escapism Grace: "we're not having to hold our life together... with will power and duct tape." "Part of our weariness is it is too noisy. The world is too noisy." "God doesn't need me to be impressive or achieving." Trusting the slow work of God #TishHarrisonWarren #WhatGrowsInWearyLands #ChristianResilience #Burnout #DesertFathers #SpiritualFormation #Weariness #Acedia #Hope #ForTheLifeOfTheWorld Production Notes This podcast featured Tish Harrison Warren Interview by Macie Bridge Edited and Produced by Evan Rosa Hosted by Evan Rosa Production Assistance by Noah Senthil A Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/about Support For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

"When guys have moral failure, I always ask them, 'What got you there?'" Helping pastors and ministry leaders avoid burnout is the topic of today's conversation as Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com sits down with Josh Turner, founder of the 10Ten Project. Josh has dedicated his life to helping Christian men flourish in their calling and in every area of life. If you're a pastor or ministry leader, the 10Ten project offers connection, coaching and care for spiritual, emotional and mental health as you serve the Lord. "We give pastors a safe place to say dangerous things — to be honest, open." —Josh Turner, Founder – 10Ten Project

This episode of Awaken to God's Presence offers a guided practice for connecting with the divine during troubled times. Host Robin Linkhart, leads listeners in a prayer recognizing Pride Month, which honors the LGBTQ community and its contributions. The prayer asks for courage to be true to oneself, love and acceptance of neighbors, and justice and equality for all. It also prays for those seeking to understand diversity, for a world free of discrimination, and for love and acceptance to prevail. Listen to more episodes in the Awaken to God's Presence series. Download the Transcript. Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered!Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!Intro and Outro music used with permission: “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services). All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.   NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ. 

Jeff Crosby reads about 75 books a year. But in this conversation—his third appearance on the podcast—he's quick to say the number isn't the point. What matters is what reading does to you, including what he calls being "unselfed." Jeff Crosby is a 24-year veteran of InterVarsity Press, current executive with ECPA, and author of World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:jeffreycrosby.net — Jeff's website, including his books and information on his forthcoming book on musicECPA — Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, where Jeff servesBooks mentioned:World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading, by Jeff CrosbyEvery Moment Holy, Vol. I, by Douglas Kaine McKelveyA Diary of Private Prayer, by John BaillieReading While Black, by Esau McCaulleyThe Cross and the Lynching Tree, by James H. ConeJesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, by Kenneth E. BaileyPlainsong, by Kent HarufEventide, by Kent HarufBenediction, by Kent HarufMere Christianity, by C.S. LewisThe Ragamuffin Gospel, by Brennan ManningA Touch of Wonder, by Arthur GordonRELATED EPISODES:Episode 194: Saudade, Leadership, and Nurturing the Inner Life, with Jeff CrosbyEpisode 96: Crossing Leadership Thresholds, with Jeff CrosbySend me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we kicked off our weekly theme, “Discipleship.” Dr. Bill Thrasher joined us to explain why discipleship must stay centered on Christ, depend on the Holy Spirit, and overflow into the lives of others through prayer and genuine relationships. Dr. Thrasher is the Lead Professor in the Master’s Program in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship at Moody Bible Institute. Dr. Erwin Lutzer also joined us to explain why discipleship is more than a decision or church activity. It begins with true repentance, new life in Christ, and a radical commitment to follow Him. Dr. Lutzer is a Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church and the featured speaker of Running to Win and Songs in the Night. We then opened up the phone lines to hear from our listeners. We posed the question, "There was something that was holding you back from everything. How did God set you free?” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Dr. Bill Thrasher [ 32:10 ]Dr. Erwin Lutzer [ 01:16 ]Call Segment [ 17:43 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why have we misunderstood what is normally involved in spiritual growth? What does it mean to say that our God is a withdrawing God?” And what do we do when the bible becomes boring and prayer seems pointless? We'll discuss these questions and more with our guest Dr. Kyle Strobel around his new book When God Seems Distant.Kyle Strobel (Ph.D. University of Aberdeen) is the director of Talbot's Institute for Spiritual Formation and Marriage and Family Therapy program. He is a systematic theologian interested in theological anthropology, Jonathan Edwards, spiritual formation and prayer. He writes both popular and academic books and articles, and is on the preaching team at Redeemer Church, La Mirada. Kyle writes regularly on kylestrobel.substack.com==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.