James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with author John Mark Comer about his book, “Practicing The Way.”

We are constantly being formed by the world around us. To be formed by Jesus will require us to become his apprentice.

To live by what the first Christian disciples called a Rule of Life—a set of practices and relational rhythms that slow us down and open up space in our daily lives for God to do what only God can do—transforms the deepest parts of us to become like him.

This introduction to spiritual formation is full of John Mark Comer’s trademark mix of theological substance and cultural insight as well as practical wisdom on developing your own Rule of Life.

These ancient practices have much to offer us. By learning to rearrange our days, we can follow the Way of Jesus. We can be with him. Become like him. And do as he did.

Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!

Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!

Related Episodes:
1. The End In Mind
2. Open Hand
3. Conversation with AJ Swoboda Part Three
4. Our Greatest Opportunity
5. Conversation with Brian Zahnd Part Three

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In this episode, James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is, “Begin with the end in mind.” Smith explains his thought from above by talking about his two mentors John Wesley and Dallas Willard. James illustrates his thought from above with a story about a friend and his understanding of Christian spiritual formation.

Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!

Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!

Related Episodes:
1. Open Hand
2. Conversation with AJ Swoboda Part Three
3. Our Greatest Opportunity
4. Conversation with Brian Zahnd Part Three
5. Two Minute Morning

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James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “Live life with an open hand.” In this episode, Smith discusses one of his favorite prayers, “The Serenity Prayer.” James talks about the meaning behind prayer and how we can use it in our time with God.

The Serenity Prayer:
“God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.
Amen”.

Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!

Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!

Related Episodes:
1. Conversation with AJ Swoboda Part Three
2. Our Greatest Opportunity
3. Conversation with Brian Zahnd Part Three
4. Two Minute Morning
5. Conversation With Emily P. Freeman Part Four

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James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with author A.J. Swoboda about his book, The Gift of Thorns. Today’s follower of Jesus exists at a moment in history when our desires, longings, and wants are being weaponized against us by cultural, spiritual, and relational forces. “Follow your heart” and “You do you” has become our moment’s mantras. The result, for too many, is feeling torn asunder by the raging desires within. What do we do with our desire? What about our unwanted desires? And how do we cultivate desires which bring life and freedom and lead to Christ? The Gift of Thorns, by A. J. Swoboda, addresses these questions and more.

Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!

Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!

Related Episodes:
1. Our Greatest Opportunity
2. Conversation with Brian Zahnd Part Three
3. Two Minute Morning
4. Conversation With Emily P. Freeman Part Four
5. Grieving with Hope

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James Bryan Smith asks, what is the greatest opportunity you have ever been given? In this episode, James explores this question and explains that our greatest opportunity is to follow Jesus. Smith explains that we have been invited to a relationship with Jesus and how it is the greatest opportunity we have been offered.

Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!

Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!

Related Episodes:
1. Conversation with Brian Zahnd Part Three
2. Two Minute Morning
3. Conversation With Emily P. Freeman Part Four
4. Grieving with Hope
5. Breath Prayer

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James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with author Brian Zahnd about his book, “The Wood Between the Worlds.”

Everything about the gospel message leads to the cross, and proceeds from the cross. In fact, within the narrative of Scripture, the crucifixion of Jesus is literally the crux of the story—the axis upon which the biblical story turns. But it would be a mistake to think we could sum up the significance of the crucifixion in a tidy sentence or two. That kind of thinking only insulates us from the magnificence of what God has done. In our ongoing quest to make meaning of the cross, we need to recognize that this conversation will never conclude—that there is always something more to be said.

Brian Zahnd reminds us that the meaning of the cross is multifaceted and should touch every aspect of our lives. Just as gazing through the eyepiece of a kaleidoscope reveals a new geometric image with every turn, Zahnd helps us see that there are infinite ways to behold the cross of Christ as the beautiful form that saves the world. The Wood Between the Worlds is an invitation to encounter the cross of Christ anew.

Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!

Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!

Related Episodes:
1. Two Minute Morning
2. Conversation With Emily P. Freeman Part Four
3. Grieving with Hope
4. Breath Prayer
5. Conversation with Farrell Mason

The post Conversation with Brian Zahnd Part Three appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

James Bryan Smith gives his second spiritual practice for 2024, called the two-minute morning. In this episode, James explains how to do this practice and why he feels it helps him set his mind on Things Above.

Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!

Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!

Related Episodes:
1. Conversation With Emily P. Freeman Part Four
2. Grieving with Hope
3. Breath Prayer
4. Conversation with Farrell Mason
5. Glory, Grace and Truth

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James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with author and friend Emily P. Freeman. James interviews Emily on her upcoming book, “How to Walk into a Room.” The book will be released in March 2024.

Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!

Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!

Related Episodes:
1. Grieving with Hope
2. Breath Prayer
3. Conversation with Farrell Mason
4. Glory, Grace and Truth
5. Our Soul & Relationships

The post Conversation With Emily P. Freeman Part Four appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

In this episode, James Bryan Smith talks about how we can experience grieving with hope. James opens the episode by talking about what he considers to be his favorite book that he has written, Room of Marvels. Smith reads the foreword of Room of Marvels, written by Dallas Willard, to help further explain how we can experience grieving with hope.

Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!

Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!

Related Episodes:
1. Breath Prayer
2. Conversation with Farrell Mason
3. Glory, Grace and Truth
4. Our Soul & Relationships
5. Conversation with Casey Tygrett Part Three

The post Grieving with Hope appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

James Bryan Smith starts the new year with an episode about a spiritual discipline he enjoys called breath prayer. In this episode, James explains what breath prayer is, and gives several examples of how to practice the soul training exercise yourself.

Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here!

Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University!

Related Episodes:
1. Conversation with Farrell Mason
2. Glory, Grace and Truth
3. Our Soul & Relationships
4. Conversation with Casey Tygrett Part Three
5. Longing To Be Loved

The post Breath Prayer appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with author Farrell Mason on her latest book, “Soulfull: A Weekly Devotional to Nourish the Mind, Body, and Spirit” Farrell Mason speaks to the universal human experience: navigating relationships, coping with change, rebounding from a setback or loss, finding peace, and prioritizing food, fellowship, faith, and regular […]

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