Things Above

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Michael John Cusick. In this episode, they discuss a multitude of topics all related to the soul. How do we understand our soul and how do we help to restore it? Michael is a Licensed Professional Counselor, spiritual director, speaker, and author of two books including Surfing for God: Discovering the Divine Desire Beneath Sexual Struggle and Somebody’s Daughter: An Experiential Guide. Having experienced the restoring touch of God in a deeply broken life and marriage, Michael’s passion is to connect life’s broken realities with the reality of the gospel. In addition to leading Restoring the Soul and equipping Christian organizations around the world, Michael formerly served as an adjunct professor at Denver Seminary and full-time professor at Colorado Christian University. He holds an MA in Biblical Counseling from Colorado Christian University and an MA from the College of Education at the University of Denver. Michael lives with his wife Julianne in Littleton, Colorado where he enjoys the Rocky Mountains and a host of other outdoor activities with friends and family. Related episodes: 1. Spiritual Mirror 2. Conversation with Juanita Rasmus 3. Conversation with Emily P. Freeman Part 2 4. Conversation with Jen Pollock Michel 5. Qualifies the Called The post Conversation with Michael John Cusick appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

The thought from above in this episode is: “God doesn’t call the qualified, God qualifies the called.” James Bryan Smith explains the thought from above in detail through his own experiences, and from others in the bible. Smith begins the episode talking about an experience he had as a student at Friends University in his campus fellowship group. A few of the group leaders asked James if he would share his testimonial story with the group and he accepted but was worried because he did not feel qualified to do so. After sharing his story, the fellowship leaders told him that he has gifts for ministry and he should explore it more. During that time James met with his sister and asked her if he should look into a future in ministry. She shared with him something he would never forget, she said “God doesn’t call the qualified, God qualifies the called.” As he continued to grow in his faith he began to see more and more examples of those who were unqualified but did great things through the power of God. Smith uses the apostle Paul as a great example of someone who was unqualified, but was called and did amazing work for the kingdom of God. “God takes each of us and makes something out of us that we could never become on our own.” Smith closes the episode asking the listeners to discern, what are they being called to right now? If you feel comfortable please share your thoughts in the comments below about what you are being called to. Related episodes: 1. Indebted to Hope 2. God is in This 3. Conversation with Casey Tygrett 4. Roots in the Future 5. Beauty, Goodness and Truth The post Qualifies the Called appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

James Bryan Smith begins season three of the things above podcast with this thought from above: “we are indebted to hope.” In this episode James talks about our life through the spirit in the passage in Romans 8. As he goes through the passage, Smith explains how we have been adopted into the family of God and what that means for us. At the end of the episode Smith closes with a quote from Paul in Romans 15 “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Related episodes: 1. Beauty, Goodness and Truth 2. Conversation with Juanita Rasmus 3. Season Two Greatest Hits 4. Conversation with Emily P. Freeman Part 2 5. Certainty in a Good Future The post Indebted to Hope appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

James Bryan Smith gives a commentary on his three favorite conversations from season two of the Things Above podcast. In this episode we share a snippet from three conversation episodes. The three featured episodes are with authors, William Paul Young, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, and A.J. Swoboda. After each episode James gives us a commentary on how that conversation helped him to set his mind on things above. In addition, Smith adds some highlights that we can take away from to help us on our own journey into Christlikeness. Related episodes: 1. Conversation with Natasha Sistrunk Robinson 2. Conversation with A.J. Swoboda 3. Conversation with William Paul Young 4. Certainty in a Good Future 5. Beauty, Goodness and Truth The post Season Two Greatest Hits appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

You were made for beauty, goodness and truth. James Bryan Smith begins the episode talking about the three transcendentals; beauty, goodness and truth. Plato said, beauty is one of the transcendental forms because it stands above the actual form. They are higher forms and thus they help us to transcend ourselves when we encounter them. In this universe there many things that are beautiful, Thomas Aquinas said “Beauty is that which when seen, pleases.” Smith goes on to say that, we are creatures made for beauty, it drives us like nothing else. If you break down any human endeavor it is because beauty is at its core. Or, as Dutch theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar likes to say, “one of beauty’s sisters, goodness or truth.” James tells the story about his experience with a mechanic named Terry which helped him to notice the transcendentals in his daily life. “The transcendentals can be understood as essential forms of spiritual nutrition. Just as maintaining our physical health requires that we take in nutritious food and then use that energy through exercise, we likewise do well to take in spiritual energy of intrinsic value and then use this energy by bearing spiritual fruit of our own.” – Steve Macintosh At the end of the episode, James asks listeners (you) to create a beauty journal. We would love to hear about what you put in your journals, leave us a comment below to let us know! Enjoyed this episode? Listen to similar episodes below! 1. Conversation with Juanita Rasmus 2. Jesus with Skin 3. Saved by His Life 4. Seeing Beauty 5. Certainty in a Good Future The post Beauty, Goodness and Truth appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

This week on the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith has a conversation with his long time friend Juanita Rasmus. Juanita is a pastor, Spiritual Director, and contemplative with a passion for seeing people transform into being their best selves in our world. Juanita co-leads the St. John’s Church in Downtown Houston with her husband, Rudy. In this episode, James and Juanita discuss her latest book Learning to Be: Finding Your Center after the Bottom Falls Out. The book focuses on a time in Juanita’s life that she calls “the crash” and what her counselor called experiencing a major depressive episode. In addition to exhaustion and depression, on the spiritual front she experienced a dark night of the soul. When everything in her life finally came to a stop, she found that she had to learn to be–with herself and with God–all over again. James and Jaunita talk about how we all have times where we hit rock bottom, but it is from those experiences that we learn more about who we are as a person than we could ever imagine. Enjoyed this conversation? Check out our other related conversations below: 1. Conversation with Dave Mullins 2. Conversation with Natasha Sistrunk Robinson 3. Conversation with William Paul Young 4. Conversation with Derwin Gray 5. Conversation with Emily P. Freeman Part 2 The post Conversation with Juanita Rasmus appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

We all need Jesus with skin. This may sound odd but in fact it is very true. In this episode James Bryan Smith explains how he experienced the love of Jesus through an unexpected disaster with his neighbor. While living in their first home, James and his wife Meghan experienced a problem many new homeowners run into. They had a burst pipe in their basement. Luckily they had a neighbor named Steve who was a plumber. Steve showed up immediately and fixed the broken pipe. Both Jim and Meghan wanted to repay Steve but he told them something they would never forget. “Thats how God loves us, He loves us through each other. Sometimes we need God’s love to show up in the flesh, we all need Jesus with skin.” This phrase taught James more than he could ever imagine. It helped him to realize how we can experience the love of God through others. James was reminded of this phrase again while he was studying the famous Dutch theologian, Hans Urs von Balthasar. Smith ends the episode by explaining this quote from Balthasar. “God’s love is alone credible.” Related episodes: 1. God’s Love 2. Conversation with Dave Mullins 3. Brighter Than the Sun 4. Conversation with Emily P. Freeman Part 2 5. God’s Beloved The post Jesus with Skin appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

In this episode James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Dave Mullins. Dave is a  speaker, teacher, writer, musician and recently co-producer of the movie “Ragamuffin,” David Mullins seeks to use these gifts to take the simple, life-changing word of God’s love to both the lost and to those in the Church who believe they are unlovable, unaccepted and unworthy of His love. David is currently serving as the Lead Teaching Minister at Colonial Heights Christian Church in Kingsport, TN. Dave’s brother Rich Mullins was a famous christian singer/songwriter who was tragically killed in a car accident in the fall of 1997. Rich had a profound impact on both Dave and James lives. Rich lived in the Smith’s attic apartment for over 3 years and blessed them with his kindness and love of Jesus. Throughout this episode, James and Dave listen to a few of their favorite songs written by Rich and talk about why they mean so much to them. Songs in the episode: 1. “Color Green” 2. “Hold Me Jesus” 3. “Creed” Related episodes: 1. Conversation with Natasha Sistrunk Robinson 2. Conversation with William Paul Young 3. Saved by His Life 4. Certainty in a Good Future 5. Adversity can be a Blessing The post Conversation with Dave Mullins appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

In this Things Above podcast episode, James Bryan Smith give this thought from above: “We are saved by His life.” In 1992 James and his friend and fellow pastor Jeff Gannon, attend a conference in Maryland about how to understand the gospel. This conference would be one of the most impactful gatherings the two had ever experienced. The two main parts of the conference were about; the finality of the cross, and the reality of the resurrection. From this conference James learned more about grace than he ever expected. Once we begin to understand that we are saved by His life everything changes. We have been saved by His life to live that kind of life, to know our value, our sacred worth, and also the safety of living with Him in that unshakeable kingdom of God. That is what it means to be saved by His life. Related Episodes: 1. Finality of the Cross 2. Season of Lament 3. Grace of God 4. How to See Sin 5. Greater Than Our Sins The post Saved by His Life appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

We are in a season of lament. As we struggle to cope with all the problems the coronavirus has brought, we need a way to ease our suffering. In this episode James Bryan Smith explains how we can use the Psalms to help us deal with our pain. Smith explains how the Psalms provide us a way to explain to God how we are feeling. There are three main types of Psalms, Grace,  Thanksgiving, and Lament. The Psalms of lament share a common structure and pattern, they move from the negative to the positive. When we pray these Psalms of lament we remind ourselves that God is with us in our suffering and He is there for us. Related Episodes: 1. Conversation with Bill Gaultiere 2. Conversation with Natasha Sistrunk Robinson 3. God is in This 4. Open Your Eyes 5. Brighter Than the Sun The post Season of Lament appeared first on Apprentice Institute.