The Walking Closer Podcast

Episode 123 ”Simplify Theology & Living”

If you think life is too complicated to slow down to walk with Jesus in a life giving pace, then maybe its time to simplify things. This episode is all about simplifying our theology and our living so that we can "remain in Jesus's words and gain first hand experience of the truth as it sets us free."

Episode 122 ”Sabbath,Living From A Place of Rest”

Are you living from a place of rest? Do you have this internal sense of wellbeing that is not contingent on external circumstances (joy)? As a result, are the actions of your life being performed from a state of rest (peace)? Sabbath is a rhythm that you can adopt that might be helpful, but it may not be what you think it is. 
 
Resources
Books:
John Mark Comer in his book Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.
Ruth Haley Barton’s book Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest
Wayne Muller: Sabbath Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest
Links
https://www.soulshepherding.org/?s=sabbath
https://transformingcenter.org/?s=sabbath
https://www.practicingtheway.org/sabbath
 

Episode 121 ”Turning Down the Noise” Part 2

In our efforts to quiet the mind and calm the internal restlessness, we need to consider our external environments, the external noise and distractions to which we have grown accustomed. In part 2 of "Turning Down the Noise" we talk about the benefits of engaging in times of solitude. We talk about how this can be done in small moments throughout the day or for extended periods of time.

Episode 120 ”Turning Down the Noise” Part 1

We are so distracted by the outer world because we neglect the inner world. At the same time, the outer world is one big chaotic distraction because our inner worlds are so neglected. In this episode we are going to talk about the benefits of getting comfortable with silence, the reasons we struggle with it, and what we can do about it. 
 
Links to articles and further research mentioned:
 
https://theconversation.com/bring-the-noise-has-technology-made-us-scared-of-silence-10988
 
https://psychcentral.com/blog/our-fear-of-silence#3
 
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140703142154.htm
 
https://www.rug.nl/staff/n.koudenburg/koudenburgetal.2011.pdf
 
https://commons.emich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://forge.medium.com/being-comfortable-with-silence-is-a-superpower-64b9e0e54925&httpsredir=1&article=1052&context=gabc
 

Episode 119 ”How Fast Are You Going?”

In this episode we talk a little about what chronic busyness and the hurried lifestyle is doing to us. We also look at some of the symptoms of "hurried sickness." 
 
Reference Links:
Book: Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Hurried Sickness Symptoms from “Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” pg. 48-51
 
Articles Referenced
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/signs-of-hurry-sickness-how-to-deal_l_6081d78de4b0dff254039874
 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/palomacanterogomez/2019/02/01/ten-intelligent-ways-to-combat-your-hurry-sickness/?sh=1cc57228572e
 
https://fortune.com/2015/02/04/busy-hurry-work-stress/
 
https://psychcentral.com/anxiety/always-in-a-rush-maybe-its-time-urgency
 
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-time-cure/201302/hurry-sickness
 
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2014/07/29/fomo-history/
 
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kittyknowles/2016/03/22/fomo-patrick-mcginnis-book-the-10-entrepreneur-fomo-meme/?sh=8d6a0777f1dc
 

Episode 118 ”Transition Through Death”

In this final chapter of "The Divine Conspiracy," Willard talks a little about what might happen after we die in light of apprenticeship to Jesus and what we know about the Kingdom. 

Episode 117 ”A Master Class in Apprenticeship to Jesus”

In this episode, we are taking a looking at chapter 9 of a book by Dallas Willard called the Divine Conspiracy. This chapter is all about strategical and practical steps in reorienting ourselves around apprenticeship to Jesus.

Episode 116 ”Apprenticeship to Jesus”

Do you see a difference between being a Christian & being a Disciple? Should there be a difference? Is Discipleship optional?  On this episode we take a look at chapter 8 of the Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard. 

Episode 115 ”A Sensitive and Non-manipulative Presence”

The Walking Closer is finally back with another episode as I share with you things I have learned from Dallas Willard's book "The Divine Conspiracy." This episode covers a little of why I have been gone and my gleanings from chapter 7 of "The Divine Conspiracy."

Episode 114 "Living In A State Called Love"

Have you ever looked at the Sermon on the Mt and tried to actually do the things that Jesus mentions? How did it go for you? Have you given up yet? Have they become your natural response yet? In this episode I want to give you a basic summary of what I think is going on in the Sermon on the Mt and why you might need to change the way you see and approach this text.

Episode 113 "No Mandates, Just Aha Moments"

This episode presents a different perspective on the Beatitudes. 

Episode 112 "A Challenging Chapter"

This episode explores some thoughts about God's perspective, our perspectives, compartmentalism, integration, and a few other nuggets here and there.
 
Resources:
Jordan Peterson Interview   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rAqVmZwqZM&t=0s
 

Episode 111 "Look At The Fruit"

As we look at Chapter 2 of the Divine Conspiracy, we  look at how we have turned the gospel into a system of sin management and why that doesn’t work. 
 
Episode Resources:
https://www.christiantoday.com/article/american.study.reveals.indulgent.lifestyle.christians.no.different/9439.htm
 
https://www.barna.com/research/faith-has-a-limited-effect-on-most-peoples-behavior/
 
 
https://www.barna.com/research/christians-relational-health/
 
https://www.barna.com/research/resilient-discipleship/
 
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/february/ravi-zacharias-rzim-investigation-sexual-abuse-sexting-rape.html
 
www.netgrace.org
 
https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2013-10/evangelicals-worse-catholics-sexual-abuse
 

Episode 110 "What Might The Kingdom Be?

What did Jesus mean by "the kingdom of heaven" and what does this have to do with us? 

Episode 109 "How Significant?"

Just a few thoughts on why Jesus was so significant and how we reflect that today.