Things Above

James Bryan Smith and Kyle Strobel sit down for a Things Above conversation. In this episode, James goes through a series of questions regarding Kyle’s latest book (Co-Authored with John Coe) called “When Prayer Becomes Real.” James and Kyle discuss how we can learn to pray without ceasing, and delight in the experience of being fully known and fully loved. Kyle Strobel (Ph.D. University of Aberdeen) is a systematic theologian who teaches spiritual theology for Talbot’s Institute for Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Formation Focus programs. His areas of interest include systematic theology, 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. Related Episodes: 1. Conversation with John Mark Comer 2. Conversation with Carolyn Arends 3. Conversation with Bill Gaultiere 4. Conversation with Casey Tygrett 5. Conversation with William Paul Young The post Conversation with Kyle Strobel appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

In this episode James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is, Jesus is God exactly. Smith opens this episode with a passage from Hebrews 1:3. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” James unpacks this passage to help explain his thought from above. The last sentence from that passage is very important. Smith explains that in ancient literature, when someone would sit down it was a sign that they had completed their work or task. Jesus sat down because he had shown the world exactly what god was like—even though he knew some of us still would not get it right. Smith closes the episode saying, we love god, we long for god, we want to serve god; and we want to be his disciples, students, and apprentices because Jesus is the most beautiful thing the world has ever seen or will see. Related Episodes: 1. Increase Grace 2. Create Space for Grace 3. Give Thanks 4. Conversation with John Mark Comer 5. Keep it Simple The post Jesus is God Exactly appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

How do we increase grace? As we learned in episode 98, grace is God’s action in our lives. James Bryan Smith explains how we can increase the grace of God in our lives through spiritual disciplines. Richard Foster was the first person to explain to James about the spiritual disciplines. The spiritual disciplines (prayer, solitude, etc…) are ways we place ourselves before God so that God can transform us. In this episode, James invites you to engage in spiritual practices to help increase the grace of God in your life. Smith closes the episode with one key distinction about spiritual practices. Do not let legalism creep into your spiritual disciplines, this can’t be stressed enough. We must be sure we are doing these practices to create space for grace, not to merit anything. Grace is God’s action in our lives. Related Episodes: 1. Create Space for Grace 2. Say No to Say Yes 3. Keep it Simple 4. Give Thanks 5. Rejoice Always The post Increase Grace appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

Our guest for this episode is, Fr. Richard Rohr. Richard is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province. He is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation and academic dean of the CAC’s Living School. An internationally recognized author and spiritual leader, Fr. Richard teaches primarily on incarnational mysticism, nondual consciousness, and contemplation, with a particular emphasis on how these affect the social justice issues of our time. Richard and James begin their conversation with a discussion of the soul, and how we define it. Both Smith and Rohr expound on the idea of the Christ-form and how it defines who we are. Whenever you deal with a spiritual mystery it never stops revealing itself, both agree this applies to the soul. In the second half of their conversation, James and Richard discuss how we deal with a life crisis and how we can get through it. They close the episode talking about Richard’s book The Universal Christ and the message behind it. Related Episodes: 1. Conversation with John Mark Comer 2. Conversation with William Paul Young 3. Conversation with Emily P. Freeman Part 2 4. Create Space for Grace 5. Say No to Say Yes The post Conversation with Richard Rohr appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

The thought from above in this episode is: “Create Space for Grace.” James Bryan Smith continues with his key ideas that are essential to Christian spiritual formation. These last five episodes are foundational for what this podcast is all about, setting our mind on things above. Smith begins the episode by explaining the importance of creating space for grace. Grace is God’s action in our lives. The word grace derived from its greek origin, means gift.  God’s grace is a gift to us and we receive it every day. There is nothing we have to do to earn God’s grace. Smith goes on to explain that just because we receive grace, we still need to create space for it. The question then becomes, what is it that God has designed us to do? What passion and need has God placed in your heart? If we are going to answer this call we will need more grace. James recalls a question Dallas Willard asked him to help further explain his point. “Who burns more grace, sinners or saints?” Dallas responded, “Saints burn grace like a 747 burns fuel on takeoff.” This is because grace is God’s action in our lives. Smith closes the episode by saying, “create space for grace by living in wonder at the grace that surrounds you and sustains you everyday, because everyday is an opportunity to create space for grace.” Related episodes: 1. Keep it Simple 2. Say No to Say Yes 3. Rejoice Always 4. Give Thanks 5. Conversation with John Mark Comer The post Create Space for Grace appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above for this episode is: “say no to say yes.” James learned this thought from above while under the tutelage of Richard Foster. Richard explained to James that whenever we say yes to something, we are also saying no to other things. Foster continued to explain to Jim that typically the things we say no to, are some of the most important things in our lives. James asked Richard how do we know what the right things are to say yes to? Richard told Jim that things like, time with God, time with your family, caring for yourself, and more. Smith closes the episode by further explaining his thought from above. Saying no to requests or favors does not make you a bad person. When we say no to something we allow the chance to say yes to something else, and that can make all the difference. Say no to good things, so you can say yes to the right things, and know that God will be with you. You will be blessed in body mind and soul and in all of your relationships and it will allow others to shine in your place. Related Episodes: 1. Rejoice Always 2. Conversation with John Mark Comer 3. Destined for Glory 4. Remember You Are Dust 5. Different but One The post Say No to Say Yes appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

John Mark Comer, pastor at Bridgetown Church and author of "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry," joins James Bryan Smith for a deep dive into spiritual growth. They discuss the impact of secular culture on faith, emphasizing the importance of community and a neo-monastic approach. Comer shares insights on overcoming modern distractions and nurturing spiritual practices in daily life. They also explore the transformative power of grace and the ancient concept of a 'rule of life' as a framework for deepening one’s relationship with Jesus.

In this episode, James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is: “Keep it simple, saint.” We are a few weeks into the new year and many of us have a new year’s resolution. Smith points out that 95% of all new year’s resolutions are broken by the end of January. This is an alarming fact but he follows it up with another fact that is much more inspiring. He states that when you have someone with you on your new year’s resolution your chance of success increases by 90%! Dallas Willard wrote “the will, tiny power that it is, is very largely at the mercy of forces playing upon it from the larger self and beyond.” Smith uses this quote to help explain that willpower alone will not help you achieve your goal or new year’s resolution.  This is why we need an accountability partner not only in our daily life but in our spiritual life as well. James is very excited to be your accountability partner for this next year. In order to do that, we will follow the KISS rule which is: Keep it Simple, Saint. Each episode, James will do his best to keep it simple and make clear his thought from above so that we can all grow deeper in God’s kingdom. Related Episodes: 1. Give Thanks 2. Rejoice Always 3. Destined for Glory 4. Qualifies the Called 5. Christ Plus Nothing Equals Everything The post Keep it Simple appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

The thought from above in this episode is: “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Following up on his last episode, James Bryan Smith takes a deeper dive into appreciative thinking vs depreciative thinking. He begins with a quote from Adrian van Kaam to help explain his thought from above. “The way we look at our lives determines how we live.” How we choose to view our lives will in turn impact how we will live them out. What Smith argues for is that we need to live with a constant sense of gratitude. Smith goes on to say that, “We have to change the way we think. Setting our minds on things above is changing the way we think. This has to work even in the midst of difficulty.” We have a tendency to automatically think depreciatively in life, but when we make the switch it makes all the difference. Smith closes the episode with a quote from Joni Erickson; “The splash-overs of heaven are finding Jesus in your struggle. and to find Jesus in your struggle is ecstasy beyond compare…” Related episodes: 1. Rejoice Always 2. Roots in the Future 3. Conversation with Emily P. Freeman Part 3 4. Conversation with Juanita Rasmus 5. Indebted to Hope The post Give Thanks appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

The thought from above for this episode is: “Rejoice always.” James Bryan Smith takes a deep dive into the works of theologian and priest Adrian von Kaam, to help explain his thought from above. In this episode, James explains the difference between appreciative thinking and depreciative thinking and how we can avoid the latter to help our spiritual growth. Smith closes the episode with a reference to the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” to help further explain his thought from above. Adrian van Kaam was a Dutch Catholic priest in the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. He was the founder of the Institute of Formative Spirituality at Duquesne University. Related Episodes: 1. Indebted to Hope 2. Different but One 3. Conversation with Emily P. Freeman Part 3 4. Conversation with Tish Harrison Warren 5. Second Birth The post Rejoice Always appeared first on Apprentice Institute.