Episodes
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
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."
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
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
Monday Jan 30, 2023
Monday Jan 30, 2023
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.
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
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
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
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
Monday Dec 12, 2022
Monday Dec 12, 2022
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.
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Monday Nov 21, 2022
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.
Monday Oct 31, 2022
Monday Oct 31, 2022
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.
Thursday Jul 28, 2022
Thursday Jul 28, 2022
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."
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
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.
Tuesday May 11, 2021
Monday Apr 26, 2021
Monday Apr 26, 2021
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
Monday Apr 12, 2021
Monday Apr 12, 2021
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
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
Tuesday Mar 23, 2021
What did Jesus mean by "the kingdom of heaven" and what does this have to do with us?
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Just a few thoughts on why Jesus was so significant and how we reflect that today.