Podcasts about Spiritual formation

Dan Allender has spent thirty years doing work most people would rather not look at — and in this first of two conversations, he and Michael go there together. Dan is a psychologist, professor at The Seattle School, and the author of The Wounded Heart, among many others. Michael first encountered his work in 1989, at one of Dan's conferences, in a season when his own double life had just come undone. That history is present in every minute of this conversation.They talk about why sexual brokenness isn't a category that belongs only to people who've experienced abuse — it belongs to all of us. They explore what lust actually means: not just desire, but desire as relief and as revenge. They discuss the ways women bear the image of God differently than men, and what that has to do with misogyny and the #metoo movement. And Dan talks about shame not as the wound, but as the thing that — when we stop running from it — leads us back toward God.Part two continues the conversation.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 Episode 2 of our Become New series, John Ortberg continues exploring Dallas Willard's The Renovation of the Heart by unpacking Proverbs 4:23: "Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Together, we examine why our responses to life often expose the deeper formation taking place within us and how Jesus invites us into lasting transformation from the inside out.If you've ever wondered why you keep reacting the same way, despite your best intentions, this conversation offers a hopeful framework for understanding spiritual formation and learning to let Christ shape your heart.Subscribe and follow along as we continue this 15-part journey through The Renovation of the Heart.

In this message, Samuel Goulet continues The Mountain Church's family series by exploring how the culture of our homes shapes the people we become and the impact we have on the world around us. He walks through five important questions every family can ask: what is being taught, nurtured, built, encouraged, and reached? With practical examples and heartfelt insight, Samuel encourages families to make Jesus the foundation of their home, teach faith relationally, nurture growth with intention, speak words that build up, and create homes that reflect the love, generosity, and presence of God to others.

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

Do the ordinary tasks of my day actually matter to God?You're doing all of it — the meals, the laundry, the emails, the driving, the remembering. And somewhere in the middle of it a question surfaces. Does any of this actually matter? This episode is about what happens when we move through our lives productive but not present, and what abiding in the ordinary actually looks like.Through the story of Brother Lawrence and the theology of Andrew Murray's The True Vine, this episode reframes the mundane as the very place God is forming you. The laundry isn't the obstacle to your spiritual life. It is your spiritual life.In This Episode•Why productivity without presence leaves us spiritually exhausted•How Brother Lawrence practiced God's presence in unglamorous ordinary work•What Psalm 16 teaches us about security and presence in our assigned portion•How Murray reframes pruning as God's precision formation in everyday life•The three questions that help you abide in the ordinary instead of just endure itKey Takeaways•The ordinary moments of your day are not the obstacle to your spiritual life — they are your spiritual life•Abiding is a connection you maintain in the middle of the doing, not a feeling you chase•The laundry is the pruning — God is actively forming you in the mundane moments•The fruit grows while you remain connected to the vine — not when you finally finish the listSeries NoteEpisode three of the Simply Remain series, which began on episode 156.Keywords•Abiding in God in everyday life•Christian women and spiritual exhaustion•Finding God in the ordinary•Spiritual formation in daily routines•John 15 abiding and fruit•Andrew Murray The True VineIf you want to take this work and apply it, visit myhappyvault.com. That's where I share free resources and ways to stay connected.Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.comQuestions? Email Jill directly at Jill@thehappiestlives.com

When God calls us to Himself, He also calls us into a people. Scripture describes the church as “fellow citizens,”“members of the household of God,” and a “dwelling place for God by the Spirit”. Community is not optional—it is central to the Christian life and God's plan for the world. Yet for many, it is also one of the most difficult parts of following Jesus. This class will explore the spiritual nature and purpose of Christian community as found in Scripture and offer practical guidance for living it out faithfully in everyday life.

Send us Fan MailWhat if God's calling isn't something we discover in one dramatic moment, but something we live out every day?In this episode of Summer Series 2026, Tim Stewart sits down with Dr. Susan Maros—professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, author, and leadership scholar—to unpack some of the most common misconceptions about calling, purpose, and vocation.Together they explore how our families, churches, cultures, and life experiences shape our understanding of God's invitation. They discuss agency, leadership, women in ministry, burnout, discernment, and why faithfulness—not extraordinary achievement—is often the truest measure of a life well lived.Whether you're discerning your next step, questioning your purpose, or simply longing to live more intentionally, this conversation offers practical wisdom and deep encouragement for every season of life.In this episode: Understanding God's call in everyday life  Why faithfulness matters more than extraordinary success  Recognizing recurring patterns of purpose  Agency, leadership, and human flourishing  Women and leadership in the Church  Discernment through life's changing seasons  Becoming the person God is forming you to be Featured Resources

It might seem like being a "good Christian" and "working hard for God" is all that's available when it comes to following Christ. Yet eventually, most of us run into struggles, questions, or doubts that leave us needing to untangle ourselves from a faith that once felt solid. What does it look like to live a better life with Jesus?Tune in for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi have a conversation with Tim Timmons — a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter, plus author of a new book called Waking Up Again: A Journey of Grief & Gratitude. He talks about how his diagnosis of incurable cancer helped him to wake up to Jesus' nearness and discover a lighter and freer life in God. His fresh perspective will inspire you to pursue deeper trust and fuller joy in how you relate to Jesus and follow him.Resources for this Episode:Visit Tim's Website to Get His Book, Listen to His Music, & MoreSubscribe to Tim on SubstackLearn More About Soul ShepherdingDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

In this episode of Soul02, we explore the spiritual meaning of wilderness seasons and why seasons of drought are often not signs of God's absence, but evidence of His deeper formation.Drawing from the Israelites' wilderness journey, the life of Moses, Elijah, David, John the Baptist, and even Jesus Himself, this episode reframes spiritual deserts as places where God strips away self-reliance in order to cultivate deeper dependence.Connect with us: YouTube: YouTube.com/@soul02-oxygen Facebook: @LP.Oxygen https://www.facebook.com/LP.Oxygen Instagram: LP.Oxygen Twitter: @Soul025 Buzzsprout: Soul02-Buzzsprout Spotify: Soul02 - Spotify Apple: Soul02-Itunes Stitcher: Soul02-Stitcher 

Michael continues his conversation with Dr. Curt Thompson, picking up where last week left off. There's a tender ache running underneath the neuroscience here — the ten-year-old boy on a summer evening, looking for permission to just be a kid, and the mother who couldn't see it. Most of us carry some version of that missed look, and Curt names how the body remembers what the mind can't always explain.From there, the conversation moves into the architecture behind that ache: the domains of consciousness and body, the difference between sensing and making sense, and why the left and right hemispheres were never meant to compete. Curt weaves in Scripture, his clinical work, and his own story to show how attention, attunement, and embodied presence shape not just our relationships but our capacity to receive love itself.Dr. Curt Thompson is a psychiatrist, author of Anatomy of the Soul and The Soul of Shame, and a leading voice on the intersection of neuroscience and spiritual formation. This conversation is drawn from his 12-part video series, offered in conjunction with his book, The Soul of Desire, published by InterVarsity Press.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!

Many people live their lives fearful or worried that God will drop them – either by accident or because He's found something "better." But the truth is you are God's special possession and you are completely secure in His hands! In this week's message, Maria Pedone shares her experience learning this lesson and discovering that God will never drop her!

Last year, the Gallup organization released the results of their latest American Values Index. Respondents were given a list of twenty-three values and were asked to choose all of those values that were important to them. Finishing at the top of the list were family, with forty nine percent placing that as most important, and Freedom, with thirty-percent placing that at number one. Rounding out the top ten in this order following family and freedom, were health, integrity, faith, trustworthiness, happiness, respect, kindness, and knowledge. It's encouraging to see these results. The key, however, to bearing fruit from these values is that we choose to prioritize and functionally live out the values we say that we hold. As Christians, we know the family is a creational institution, established by God, as one male and one female enter into a covenantal marriage, then bearing the fruit of children. Parents, spend time with your kids, and diligently nurture them in the faith.

Send us Fan MailFollowing Jesus isn't complicated—but it will cost you your pride, your control, and your timeline.In this final episode, we're bringing the series full circle by returning to the beauty of simple obedience. If you've been waiting for another sign, another answer, or another confirmation, perhaps God is inviting you to simply obey what He's already made clear. Because when you seek Him first, give Him your attention, and surrender your heart, everything else begins to find its proper place. Support the showChelsey Holm | the Wife Coach "I help Christian wives surrender fully, live Spirit-led, and be set apart according to God's design in marriage, motherhood, and life."First step? Grab the 30 Day Guide: War Room RESET: daily action to regulate, realign, and reconnect. 

This week, we offer an exclusive For the Journey conversation between Rev. Bill Haley and Terry Timm— a coach, consultant, and pastor with a heart for music, theology, and the deep spiritual journey. They discuss a wide range of topics, from the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises to beauty and Bono. We hope you are blessed by their conversation!Explore Coracle's Upcoming PilgrimagesView Our Complete Archive of “Space for God” Prayer PracticesLearn More About Spiritual Direction through CoracleView Our Full Archive of Soundings Seminarsinthecoracle.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.

Send us Fan MailHave we confused grace with passivity?The gospel doesn't call us to sit back and do nothing. It calls us to work, steward, build, and serve—but from acceptance, not for acceptance. In this episode, we'll unpack the difference between striving to earn God's favor and faithfully stewarding the life He's already given you. Discover why discipline is not the enemy of grace but one of its greatest fruits. Support the showChelsey Holm | the Wife Coach "I help Christian wives surrender fully, live Spirit-led, and be set apart according to God's design in marriage, motherhood, and life."First step? Grab the 30 Day Guide: War Room RESET: daily action to regulate, realign, and reconnect. 

Send us Fan MailWhat if worship isn't something you attend or a song you sing—but the way you live?In this episode, we're redefining worship through the lens of Scripture. From your workout to your marriage, your parenting to your work, every ordinary moment becomes holy when it's offered to the Lord. Discover how consecrating your attention transforms everyday responsibilities into acts of worship and why seeking God first changes not just your quiet time—but your entire life. Support the showChelsey Holm | the Wife Coach "I help Christian wives surrender fully, live Spirit-led, and be set apart according to God's design in marriage, motherhood, and life."First step? Grab the 30 Day Guide: War Room RESET: daily action to regulate, realign, and reconnect. 

Send us Fan MailWhat has your attention right now?Because whatever consistently has your attention is shaping your heart.In this episode, we're exploring one of the most powerful principles in spiritual formation: attention shapes affection. We'll talk about why the enemy fights for your attention, how what you repeatedly notice changes your marriage, your parenting, and your relationship with God, and why learning to intentionally direct your attention may be one of the most practical ways to seek the Kingdom first. Support the showChelsey Holm | the Wife Coach "I help Christian wives surrender fully, live Spirit-led, and be set apart according to God's design in marriage, motherhood, and life."First step? Grab the 30 Day Guide: War Room RESET: daily action to regulate, realign, and reconnect. 

A major new study just dropped on faith transmission across generations — and Josh breaks it down. Drawing from Passing the Torch (Institute for Family Studies), decades of research by Vern Bengston on relational warmth, and John Gottman's data on repair, this episode answers the question we're all asking as Christian parents: Will my kids keep the faith when they leave home? Josh not only covers the key research findings, but more importantly offers practical strategies and connects the dots between your own spiritual growth and the faith your kids carry into adulthood.*Thank you to Bernhardt Watches for sponsoring this episode! Click here and be sure to use the code FAMOUS at checkout for free shipping! https://www.bernhardtwatch.com/ Time Stamps:0:00 Introduction of faith5:18 Happenings with Famous at Home6:20 How God concept and relational warmth influences faith transmission9:31 The spiritual growth connection to faith transmission especially when we mess up12:45 Josh explains key findings from a new study by The Institute for Family Studies17:37 The influence of church attendance18:29 How the quality of the marriage influences faith transmission21:15 The practical implications of the research in our homes with our kids28:00 How healthy community influences faith transmission Show Notes: Men, sign up for the Living Legacy Cohort:https://www.famousathome.com/menscoaching Reserve your seat for Tender & Fierce Fall Cohort beginning August 17, 2026: https://www.famousathome.com/offers/V75F6bY2 Passing the Torch research study by The Institute for Family Studies:https://ifstudies.org/report-brief/passing-the-torch-how-faith-moves-across-generations#:~:text=Children%20who%20grew%20up%20in,in%20the%20divinity%20of%20Jesus Looking for a marriage intensive with Famous at Home? Apply now.  https://www.famousathome.com/coaching Sign up for Raising Future Legends!www.raisingfuturelegends.com Follow Josh on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/joshua.straub Follow Christi on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/christistraub Sign up for our email list and Famous at Home Starter Bundle: https://www.famousathome.com/newsletter Download NONAH's single Find My Way Home by clicking here: https://bellpartners.ffm.to/findmywayhome

Fasting is a spiritual discipline by which we deny ourselves food for a certain period of time so that we can grow in our dependence on God. Fasting is not about trying to impress God, manipulate him, or make ourselves more acceptable to God. Fasting has been described as, “an intensifier of spiritual desire.” Ultimately the purpose of fasting is to draw near to God. In this class we explore the Biblical purpose of fasting and ways to incorporate this practice into your life.

Questions? Comments? Text Us!What shapes a person's spiritual story? Can childhood experiences, faith, and the practice of preaching become the foundation for a lifetime of spiritual transformation?In this episode of God: An Autobiography, The Podcast, philosopher Jerry L. Martin welcomes theologian and Episcopal priest John Thatamanil for a deeply personal conversation about the experiences that shaped his faith and vocation. From his childhood in India's ancient Mar Thoma Christian tradition to immigrating to the United States, John reflects on the moments that led him toward theology, ordination, and a life devoted to preaching.Together, Jerry and John explore the surprising ways our earliest experiences influence our understanding of God. Their conversation moves through prayer, trauma, memory, spiritual formation, religious experience, and the search for truth, revealing how a life of faith is formed not only by belief, but by the people, traditions, and encounters that transform us over time.Drawing from Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, John shares how multiple religious traditions have deepened rather than diminished his understanding of the divine. Along the way, he discusses nonduality, contemplative practice, and the role of preaching as a path of both personal and communal transformation.Whether you are exploring your own spiritual journey, interested in comparative theology, or simply asking deeper questions about faith, this conversation offers a thoughtful and deeply human reflection on what it means to seek God across a lifetime.Join the conversation on the Ultimate Questions Substack: Does each of us have a personal calling that responds to something beyond ourselves?Get the books:Radically Personal: God and Ourselves in the New Axial AgeGod: An Autobiography, As Told to a PhilosopherOther Series:The podcast began with the Dramatic Adaptation of the book and now has several series:Radically Personal: Reflections on lived experience, divine encounter, and personal vocation, drawing on a seeker-centered approach to spirituality in a new Axial Age.From God to Jerry to You: Divine messages and breakthroughs for seekers.Jerry & Abigail: An Intimate Dialogue: Love, faith, and divine presence in partnership.What's Your Spiritual Story: Real stories of people changed by encounters with God.What's On Our Mind: Reflections from Jerry and Scott on recent episodes.Two Philosophers Wrestle With God: A dialogue on God, truth, and reason.The Life Wisdom Project: Spiritual insights on living a wiser, more meaningful life.What's On Your Mind: Listener questions, divine answers, and open dialogue. Share Your Story | Site | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Send us Fan MailWhy does God care so much about being first?Because whatever comes first shapes everything that follows.In this episode, we're unpacking the biblical principle of first—from Genesis to Matthew 6—and discovering why seeking God first isn't another box to check but the foundation for peace, wisdom, and right order. When God has your first attention, every other decision begins to fall into its proper place. Support the showChelsey Holm | the Wife Coach "I help Christian wives surrender fully, live Spirit-led, and be set apart according to God's design in marriage, motherhood, and life."First step? Grab the 30 Day Guide: War Room RESET: daily action to regulate, realign, and reconnect. 

Send us Fan MailWhat if God isn't withholding an answer… what if He's building your foundation?So often we bring God questions about decisions, timelines, relationships, parenting, or the future, while He's inviting us into something much deeper: seeking Him first.In this episode, we'll unpack why God often focuses on the condition of our hearts before the circumstances around us, what the wilderness was really for, and why the foundation God builds in you is far more important than the decisions you're asking Him to make for you. Support the showChelsey Holm | the Wife Coach "I help Christian wives surrender fully, live Spirit-led, and be set apart according to God's design in marriage, motherhood, and life."First step? Grab the 30 Day Guide: War Room RESET: daily action to regulate, realign, and reconnect. 

Join us for a conversation with Matthew Bingham, vice president of academic affairs and associate professor of church history at Phoenix Seminary and author of 'A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation'.    A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781433592621/a-heart-aflame-for-god-hardback?srsltid=AfmBOoqGAb-ESPUJDpZLHDAi07f5in0zM2xY8sg8Sm1uGR39aUn0vcKe 

In this episode, Merideth Hite Estevez joins me to talk about what happens when a lifetime of chasing excellence quietly empties out the joy that started it all. We dig into the idols hiding inside performance and perfectionism, why she redefines art not as a talent for the gifted few but as something anyone can do out of love, and what it means to create as an act of worship instead of proof of worth. It's a conversation about shame, recovery, and the spiritual thread running through every creative act - whether you call yourself an artist or not.Dr. Merideth Hite Estevez is a coach, educator, oboist, and author of The Artist's Joy. Through her workshops, her award-winning podcast Artists for Joy, and her one-to-one coaching, she is a spiritual space-maker for artists, leading thousands in various fields to creative recovery. Dr. Estevez has performed with top orchestras and holds degrees in oboe from The Juilliard School and Yale School of Music. Her writing, which Publishers Weekly calls “expansive and joyful,” illuminates the spiritual journey of the artist. Her next book, Art Is How God Loves Us, debuts in July 2026. She hails from Abbeville, SC, but now lives in Metro Detroit, Michigan, with her husband, Rev. Dr. Edwin Estevez, and their two children.Merideth's Book:Art is How God Loves UsMerideth's Recommendation:CounterweightsConnect 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

You were made for beauty and goodness. You feel that, even on the hardest days. What neuroscience is beginning to show us is that this longing isn't incidental. It's written into the architecture of how you were made.In this conversation, psychiatrist and author Curt Thompson opens up the world of interpersonal neurobiology and what it has to do with the soul, how the mind is not the brain but something that emerges between bodies and relationships, how 80 to 85 percent of a newborn's neural networks can only develop in response to someone paying attention, and what it means that God started with dirt before he breathed in life. Curt also brings his own story, the parts of his inner orchestra that never got developed, and why the gospel doesn't just want the polished instruments.This is a rebroadcast of one of the most beloved conversations in the show's history.Dr. Curt Thompson is a psychiatrist and author of Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections Between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships.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!

Life doesn't always make sense in the moment. Disappointments, unanswered questions, and unexpected detours can leave us wondering how the pieces fit together. See how God works through every season to reveal His purpose, strengthen our faith, and remind us that He never loses sight of the bigger picture.

Peter writes 2 Peter with a clock ticking in the background, and that urgency changes what he chooses to emphasize. Instead of leaving a fear-based warning, we hear him offer a path of formation, a ladder of virtues that culminates in one unmistakable destination: Agape. We walk slowly through 2 Peter 1:3–7, treating it as a map for spiritual growth and real transformation that holds up under stress.Along the way, we talk about why faith is the foundation, and why trust grows best when people first know they are beloved. We name what gets out of order in church culture when we pressure people to “believe” before they have any lived sense of belonging, safety, and grace. Peter's language about “participating in the divine nature” gives us a grounded, practical vision of Christlikeness through the Holy Spirit, not through willpower or performance.We also linger on one of the most human moments in the letter: Peter calling Paul “beloved” after their public conflict. If agape is real, it shows up in relationships, not just ideas. The episode includes a short, contemplative breathing practice to help you find your place on the ladder and let go of the need to rush the process. If you've ever wondered where perseverance ends and love begins, this conversation is for you.Subscribe for more on Agape and spiritual formation, share this with someone who needs a gentler path, send us a message sharing your thoughts, or write a review with the rung you feel like you're standing on right now.Send us Fan Mail This podcast is a production of The Center for Biblical Coaching and Leadership. If this episode has been useful or inspiring to you in any way, please share it with someone else.  Lastly, please follow the show and write a review.If you want to go deeper on this journey, visit www.tcbcl.org to learn how we're walking this path together through biblical coaching, spiritual formation, and the ROOTED Global Movement. 

In Making Peace is Messy, Antonio Reyes teaches from Matthew 5:3-9 on what it means to be a peacemaker. This message challenges us to stop avoiding conflict, pursue reconciliation with the right endgame in mind, and receive the peace of Jesus so we can bring peace into our families, communities, and everyday relationships. (00:00) - Welcome and Introduction to The Beatitudes (00:48) - Blessed Are the Peacemakers (01:30) - Making Peace Is Messy (02:53) - Environment, Discipline, and Spiritual Formation (04:22) - Hostility in Our Current Culture (06:35) - Peace in Families, Workplaces, and Relationships (06:56) - Jesus Did Not Grow Up in a Perfect Context (08:42) - What Biblical Peace Really Means (10:22) - Peacemakers Do Not Avoid Conflict (13:07) - Unhealthy Peace and Avoiding the Issue (15:23) - Peacemakers Keep Reconciliation in Mind (18:22) - God Reconciled Us Through Jesus (19:37) - Peacemakers Know Peace Within (22:57) - Spiritual Practices, Healthy Environments, and Outlets (24:09) - Jesus Came to Transform Our Souls (25:48) - Turn the Other Cheek and Refuse to Give Power Away (28:09) - Peacemakers Will Be Called Children of God (29:25) - Refusing Hopelessness Through the Prince of Peace (31:30) - Prayer and Invitation to Follow Jesus

Send us Fan MailSpecial Guest:Richard Bruxvoort Colligan, Author of Dangerous Songs: The Psalms and a Gloriously Disrupted Life & Director of Spiritual Formation at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Rochester, MinnesotaQuestion of the Week:People often view the Psalms as scriptures for comfort and consolation. But the Psalms are so much more complex. What do we miss by failing to recognize the full experience that the Psalms depict, which include joy but also grief and struggle?Dangerous Songs: The Psalms and a Gloriously Disrupted LifeFor Listening Guides, click here!Got a question for us? Send them to faithpodcast@pcusa.org! A Matter of Faith website

JR Woodward is the National Director of the V3 Movement, a faculty member in the Doctor of Global Leadership cohort at Fuller Theological Seminary, and the author of The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church. In this conversation, JR and Markus explore what it looks like to lead communities that bring the Kingdom of God to life in the places where we live.THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:What it means that Jesus's primary message was the kingdom of God, and how that shapes everything a church doesShalom as a holistic picture of human flourishing: restored relationships with God, others, creation, and ourselvesThe NEAR framework for understanding a neighborhood: Narrative, Ethics, Associations, RitualsThe four spaces of belonging and how Jesus inhabited all four: intimate (3–4), personal (5–12), social (20–50), public (70+)Why closed discipleship groups differ from open missional spaces, and why you can't build depth if the door is always openHow people often belong before they believe, and how behavior changes before beliefs doHow our desires are shaped by whoever we look up to, and how this creates rivalry and division in churchesHow conflict in a congregation can escalate until one person becomes the targetWhat Philippians 2 teaches about giving up honor and titles as a path to healthier leadershipHow love of image, institutional self-preservation, and ideology become corrupting forces in church lifeOscar Romero as a real-world example of the downward path of leadershipV3 Movement's interdenominational church planting trainingThe Doctor of Global Leadership cohort at Fuller SeminaryRELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:The Scandal of Leadership, by JR WoodwardV3 MovementFuller Doctor of Global Leadership ProgramRELATED EPISODES:288. Leadership That Smells Like the Gospel, with Jason Jensen272. Beyond Church Revitalization, with Josh Hayden247. The Kingdom of God as Present RealitySend me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Are we being transformed by Christ, or quietly conformed to the atmosphere around us?In this Soul02 episode, we explore the powerful metaphor: “If you want to know what the water is like, don't ask the fish.” Drawing from Romans 12:2 and Revelation's picture of Babylon, this teaching reveals how culture, algorithms, outrage, entertainment, and digital habits shape us in ways we may not even notice.The first step toward transformation is recognizing the water we have been swimming in. This episode will help you discern the spirit of the age, recover spiritual awareness, and renew your mind in Christ.Connect with us: YouTube: YouTube.com/@soul02-oxygen Facebook: @LP.Oxygen https://www.facebook.com/LP.Oxygen Instagram: LP.Oxygen Twitter: @Soul025 Buzzsprout: Soul02-Buzzsprout Spotify: Soul02 - Spotify Apple: Soul02-Itunes Stitcher: Soul02-Stitcher 

What if your vision of God has been wrongly skewed and you've actually missed out on who He *really* is? In this message, Pastor Krista Ortiz brings to light the truth of God's nature and helps us see Him for He actually is.

What do we do about our grief, sorrow, and pain? In this message from the Invitations From God in the Psalms series, we look at Psalms 42 and 43 and God's invitation to lament. These psalms give language to the experience of feeling spiritually dry, emotionally overwhelmed, and far from the comfort of God's presence. Biblical lament is not faithlessness. It is faith bringing grief, confusion, anger, loneliness, anxiety, and pain honestly before God. The psalmist cries out from a place of deep need, asks hard questions, remembers God's faithfulness, and repeatedly speaks hope to his own soul: “Hope in God, for I shall again praise him.” This sermon explores why lament is a sign of faith, how lament helps us know God better, and how lament helps us understand our own hearts more honestly. We also look at how Jesus Himself prayed the Psalms and entered into lament on the cross, showing us that God welcomes our honest cries and forms us through them.

This week, we offer an exclusive For the Journey conversation between Rev. Bill Haley and Mark Condy, a longtime lover and popularizer of Celtic Christianity. They discuss what they each appreciate most about the Celtic tradition, swapping favorite stories of Celtic saints along the way, before closing with some of their most cherished Celtic prayers.View the "Space for God" on St. Brendan's JourneyExplore Coracle's Upcoming PilgrimagesView 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.

True Religion | James 1:19-27 | James: Faith Alive Mike Boland | Pastor of Spiritual Formation

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

In this episode, I talk with Kyle Strobel about what's actually happening when God feels distant. Most of us start with passion - prayer comes easy, Scripture comes alive - and then a season arrives where the lights go out and we assume we've failed or been abandoned. Kyle offers a different reading than abandonment: the dryness isn't punishment or absence, but the desert where God weans us off the feeling and teaches us to abide. We get into the moralistic temptation that follows - how we turn disciplines, service, and even devotion into ways of managing God rather than meeting him - and why we have to relearn to live by faith and not by sight.Kyle Strobel is the director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, who writes and teaches in the area of spiritual formation. He is the author of many books, most recently the co-author of the book, When God Seems Distant: Surprising Ways God Deepens Our Faith and Draws Us Near (with John Coe). Kyle regularly speaks at conferences, church trainings, and serves on the preaching team at Redeemer Church. He can be found at KyleStrobel.substack.com.Kyle's Book:When God Seems DistantKyle's Recommendation:A Lifting Up for the DowncastConnect 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

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

Father Gary continues our series on the Anglican distinctives with a lesson on Reserve.

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.

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.

"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.

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.