The Apprenticeship Way with Marc Alan Schelske

Episode 009 – How to Spot Poisonous Friends. We all have friends, and we all know what it’s like when friendship goes wrong.  Today, in a bonus episode, we’re doing our first ever Apprenticeship Way interview with Mary DeMuth who has just written a book called The Seven Deadly Friendships. I want to introduce you to Mary because I think she’s someone you should know, and her book may prove helpful to you. Show Notes Show notes will not be a transcript. At least not now. You’ll find a few key bullet points, any scriptures references, as well as any other books or resources referenced. Tech Notes: Our interview happened during a terrible storm in Texas, where Mary lives, and her internet was down, so we did the interview over her phone cellular service, which means the video and audio isn’t the best quality on her end. But I’ve edited for your enjoyment, and it should be good enough for you to find something helpful here.   Keys points from Mary: There are books about divorce recovery, but no books about recovering from broken friendship. Why don’t we talk about this more? Mary suggests that Christians are particularly susceptible to toxic relationships because we are taught to automatically confer trust on other people labeled Christian. The modern social media culture trains us to create an image of who we are, and so we’ve become more skilled at deceiving each other. We are getting worse at knowing how to determine if people are healthy or safe to be friends with. “Reliable friends love your no as well as your yes. They understand you are an autonomous person loved by Jesus who get to say what you do and don’t want. You may not always make your friends happy by saying no, but to the degree in which a friend pushes against your no is the possible degree that they may become a problematic relationship in the future.” – Mary DeMuth, inspired by Dr. Henry Cloud. If we wounded in toxic community, we are most likely going to find healing in healthy community. Examining our past is key to understanding why we connect with certain kinds of toxic people. “We are inside our Salad Dressing Bottle. We cannot read the ingredients label. Someone else on the outside can.” Mary, quoting friend Jim Rubart. “We don’t grow in isolation.” – Mary’s husband. Other Links Find The Seven Deadly Friendships & the quiz Mary mentioned here. Find Mary’s books on most online book distributors and many local bookstores. Her Amazon bookshelf here. Find Mary at www.MaryDeMuth.com Mary also consults and mentors writers at www.BookLaunchMentor.com My Links Subscribe to The Apprenticeship Way on iTunes and all other podcasting apps. Find it here on my website–this page that you’re on right now! Find a video version on my Youtube Channel. Subscribe to my Email List. Interested in having Marc speak to your group? Start here. Check out the Apprenticeship Lab Member Community.

Discover the secret to inner peace by taking responsibility for your own mental state. Dive into the idea that peace isn't just a gift from above; it's an active choice we make. Explore foundational principles for cultivating stillness and transforming thoughts for lasting serenity. Hear about inspiring retreat centers aimed at rejuvenating leaders and the importance of community connection. Learn how peace is not only about faith but also about nurturing a quiet mind through intentional practice.

Explore the chaos of a busy mind likened to a computer bogged down by malware. Discover strategies to quiet mental distractions that block your connection with God. Embrace stillness and tranquility in a noisy world to cultivate a deeper spiritual relationship. Learn that God is always present, and you don’t need to wait for special moments to connect. The discussion reveals the power of overcoming anxiety and embracing peace for personal growth.

Explore the divine in your daily grind! The podcast reflects on those euphoric spiritual moments and contrasts them with our mundane to-do lists, prompting listeners to find God in the everyday. Through the story of Jesus' transfiguration, discover how even routine tasks hold sacred significance. Uncover the crucial relationship between emotional awareness and spiritual growth, encouraging deeper insight through community connection and exploration. Embrace the idea that life itself is a continual encounter with the divine presence!

Feeling overwhelmed by life's demands? The discussion dives into the importance of recognizing and embracing our limits, framing them as gifts of grace. Listeners will discover how accepting constraints can lead to personal growth and fulfillment. The conversation explores the essential limits of time, physical capacity, emotional energy, and life seasons, highlighting how acceptance fosters peace. Embrace change for a healthier outlook on life and find satisfaction in understanding your boundaries.

The discussion highlights the detrimental burden of needing to get our way in a performance-driven culture. It dives into the emotional conflict that arises from unmet expectations and the struggle for submission in times of suffering. Personal reflections connect Jesus' moment of surrender with our own desires for control. The importance of embracing discomfort as a catalyst for spiritual growth is emphasized. Finally, the concept of mutual submission is explored, encouraging listeners to let go of personal agendas to align more closely with divine purpose.

Explore the radical shift in worship initiated by Jesus during his conversation with a Samaritan woman. Discover how he challenged the traditional notion of needing a special place or gatekeepers for divine connection. The discussion delves into the omnipresence of God, emphasizing that sacred moments exist everywhere, not just in temples. Learn how daily life can be a form of worship and the importance of recognizing God’s love in every moment. This thought-provoking dialogue redefines how we understand access to the divine in our everyday experience.

The conversation explores the profound impact of true conversion, not just as a belief change but as a transformative experience with Christ. It highlights how this renewal should reshape our desires and actions, fostering a life rich in spiritual fruitfulness. Engaging biblical insights underscore the importance of recognizing the visible signs of inward change. Listeners are encouraged to pursue a deeper spiritual connection and become part of a community that supports ongoing growth in faith.

Episode 001 – Introductions Welcome to a whole new thing! A Podcast called The Apprenticeship Way. Are you hooked on Jesus, but maybe you’ve struggled to see real growth or transformation in the “church activities routine” that you were handed by the church? Do you suspect there must be something more, something deeper? I know how that feels–and it’s exactly the reason for this podcast and the journey we’ll be going on. Show Notes Show notes will not be a transcript. At least not now. You’ll find a few key bullet points, any scriptures references, as well as any other books or resources referenced. Jesus didn’t invite us to join a club, or a political group, or even a religious organization. He was inviting us to follow him, to come along and learn from Him. Luke 9:23. Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”  Matthew 11:28-30.“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Jesus seems to have expected us to learn from him through His ongoing presence. It sounds mystical! John 14:20.  “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you.” John 14:23. Jesus answered, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” This invitation is to a learning relationship. The biblical word is discipleship, but that word isn’t clear in modern usage. Think old men and beards! A better word for the invitation we have been given: An Apprenticeship. Life spent learning from a master, as we live and work alongside him. A new podcast in this pursuit. What to expect? Weekly-ish podcast, with seasonal breaks. 15-30 minutes of spoken word. Sharing my journey, my study, and what I’m learning from other people on this same path. The goal: Learning how to be with Jesus, so we can learn from Jesus, how to grow in connection with Jesus! Periodic Bonus Episodes – Episodes in different formats. Interviews, book reviews, etc. Interested? Subscribe on iTunes and all other podcasting apps. Find it here on my website–this page that you’re on right now! Find a video version on my Youtube Channel.