The Deep Dive Spirituality Conversations Podcast

Guest Marcum Davis discusses living a life of true legacy, faith, and gratitude. Topics include personal awakening, creating a meaningful legacy, forgiveness with God, biblical symbolism, and building relationships rooted in service and kindness.

In this episode, Brian Russell reflects on the dangers of assuming that God is on our side or my side rather than asking the deeper question: Am I on God's side? Listen in as Brian takes us on a deep dive into Joshua 5:13–15 where Joshua learns the key lesson that prepares him to lead Israel against Jericho and beyond: It's about the holiness of the leader and not about the demonization of the "other." You'll learn how a commitment to the love of God and neighbor shifts the way we can think about the divisions of today and how to live missionally in a world and church that focuses on dualistic tribalism and the demonization of opponents. This reflection is a sample of what you'll find in Brian's 2023 book: Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation (Invite Press): https://amzn.to/3W2oFqN Sign up for Brian's Summer 2024 Free Spiritual Growth Virtual Workshops (you'll receive the video and tools even if you can't make it "live"): https://www.brianrussellphd.com/growthworkshops Sign up for Brian's Monthly Centering Prayer Update (w/invites to virtual gatherings): www.centeringprayerbook.com Books mentioned in the Podcast: Christopher Wright, The God I Don’t Understand: Reflections on Tough Questions of Faith (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008) https://amzn.to/3L5pVmN Stanley Gundry, C.S. Cowles, Eugene Merrill, Daniel Gard, and Tremper Longmann; Show Them No Mercy: Four Views of God and Canaanite Genocide (Grand Rapids: Zondervan: 2003) https://amzn.to/3RMyqah R. Walter Moberly, Old Testament Theology (2013). https://amzn.to/3RO4ue2 Solzhenitsyn, Gulag Archipelago https://amzn.to/3RNy5nR Brian Russell’s Other Books: Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (2021) https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ  (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9  Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/  Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. #scripture #spiritualgrowth #holiness

In this week's episode, Roz and Callie Picardo return to the podcast to talk about their new book Healthy Money: A 30-Day Journey toward Spiritual, Emotional, and Financial Freedom (Invite, 2024). We share a powerful and insightful conversation around money mindsets, money in relationships, and how these relate to our spiritual growth and formation. Take the Money Mindset Assessment:  https://app.agolix.com/assessment/24830 Order a copy of the book: https://amzn.to/4emzZ8x   For bulk orders, contact Invite for discounts: https://www.inviteresources.com/lp/healthy-money-landing Listen to our previous conversation: Money Talks: A Biblical Take on Earning, Saving, Spending & Giving https://youtu.be/FHB4SKQqLlA  Signup for Brian's free Summer Spiritual Growth workshops: www.brianrussellphd.com/growthworkshops  Brian's Free Centering Prayer course: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/challenge-page/fb06a8df-99bd-47c0-bc06-0892ec6777ed  Brian Russell’s Books:  Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation (2023) https://amzn.to/3Vw9I07   Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (2021) https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ  (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9  Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/  Connecting with Brian:  Website: www.brianrussellphd.com  Twitter: @briandrussell  Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife  Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group?  Email: brian@brianrussellphd.com   Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. #stewardship #moneymindset #financialabundance

In this week’s episode, Amos Smith shares deeply from his personal experience in contemplative mysticism. We talk about the release of the 10th anniversary edition of Healing the Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots, why centering prayer is a critical practice today and his writing practice. Amos Smith (D.Min) earned a Bachelor's degree in Comparative Religion from The University of California at Santa Cruz in 1993, a Masters of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley in 1998, and a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2008.  Buy a copy of Healing the Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots https://amzn.to/3KFju9L  Check out his other books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39oIxPs  Connect with Amos Smith:  Twitter: @amossmi  Email: amossmi@gmail.com Web: www.amossmith.org Password: friends  Books mentioned in the conversation: Van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score https://amzn.to/4bU1ODE  Athanasius, On the Incarnation https://amzn.to/4bSyzRr Brian's Free Centering Prayer course: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/challenge-page/fb06a8df-99bd-47c0-bc06-0892ec6777ed  Brian Russell’s Books  Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation (2023) https://amzn.to/3Vw9I07 Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life (2021) https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ   (Re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade Books) https://amzn.to/30tP4S9  Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/  Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. #mysticism #spirituality #silence

In this episode, I (Brian Russell) take you on a deep dive into Paul's words in Philippians 3:17 "Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.” Questions I explore: What kind of person do I need to become to serve as a model of Christ like character for others? Is Jesus' life merely aspirational or can humans literally live out the mind and character of Christ? How might God be calling me today to surrender even deeper into the love God and neighbor? What kind of person do I need to become in order to serve as a model of Christ like character for others even more effectively tomorrow than I do today? Highlighted resource: Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3OKecg8 Free centering prayer course: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/challenges Brian Russell’s Other Books: (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade): https://amzn.to/3PU5RqE Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support. #philippians #paul #christianliving

In this week’s episode, I reflect on Paul, missional holiness and the Gospel for today. I offer a deep dive into Paul’s missional method as he describes it in 1 For 9:19–27. This episode will empower you for more profound missional engagement in your community.   Highlighted resources: (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade): https://amzn.to/3PU5RqE   Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/   Free centering prayer course: https://www.brianrussellphd.com/challenges   Brian Russell’s Other Books:   Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3OKecg8   Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ   Connecting with Brian:   Website: www.brianrussellphd.com   Twitter: @briandrussell   Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife   Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com   Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

In this week’s episode, I offer a missional overview of the book of Acts. I cover three core aspects of the missional message of the book: Mission is spirit driven; Mission advances in spite of persecution through the bold and courageous witness of people; and the apostles use a variety of methods to fulfill the mission of God in their day. Highlighted resources: (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade): https://amzn.to/3PU5RqE Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/   Brian Russell’s Other Books: Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3OKecg8 Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com  Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife   Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com   Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

In this week's episode, I share key spiritual growth lessons from my recent extended sabbath time and travel to Italy and Greece. I start with reading a section of Seneca’s Letter 28 on Travel, reflect on not working at all for 19 days, ponder the wonders of 21st century life, share a deep insight into “eternal” kingdoms and life’s meaning, contemplate the “relics” of Christendom (Eastern and Western versions), marvel at the long term influence of Athens and Rome, describe the brilliant missional audacity of Paul, and share a couple of my “heart strangely warmed” moments from the trip. Check out Seneca's Letters from a Stoic (Penguin) https://amzn.to/3Wo2cp1 Brian Russell’s Books: Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3OKecg8 Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade): https://amzn.to/3PU5RqE Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbedhttps://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

In this week's episode, I share key growth lessons that I've learned from coaching pastors and spiritual leaders. If you listen to this episode you will gain insight into the challenges of ministry as well as learn actionable steps for growing in grace as a pastor or in support of a pastor. To learn more about my coaching: www.brianrussellphd.com or www.deepdivespirituality.com Brian Russell’s Books: Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3OKecg8 Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade): https://amzn.to/3PU5RqE Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/oneboo... Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.

In this week’s episode, I interview Dr. Ryan Danker, director of the John Wesley Institute. He is hear to introduce an important new book The Faith Once Delivered: We talk about the unique contribution of Wesleyan theology and future of “Methodism” as a multi-denominational movement. The John Wesley Institute: www.nextmethodism.org Get a copy of The Faith Once Delivered: A Wesleyan Witness to Christian Orthodoxy https://amzn.to/4cEN9wX Books Recommended by Ryan Danker: Heitzenrater, Wesley and a People Called Methodists https://amzn.to/3TroGSW Ken Collins, The Theology of John Wesley https://amzn.to/3Py2HZ8 Collins/Vickers, The Sermons of John Wesley https://amzn.to/3viG7Nr Billy Abraham, Methodism: A Very Short Introduction https://amzn.to/3VvRuw2 Rowell, et al, Love’s Redeeming Work: The Anglican Quest for Holiness https://amzn.to/495gsW7 Brian Russell’s Books: Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation https://amzn.to/3OKecg8 Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God’s Presence Can Change Your Life https://amzn.to/2S0AcIZ (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World (Cascade): https://amzn.to/3PU5RqE Invitation: A Bible Study to Begin With (Seedbed) https://my.seedbed.com/product/onebook-invitation-by-brian-russell/ Connecting with Brian: Website: www.brianrussellphd.com Twitter: @briandrussell Instagram: @yourprofessorforlife Interested in coaching or inviting Brian to speak or teach for your community of faith or group? Email: deepdivespirituality@gmail.com Links to Amazon are Affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, Amazon returns a small percentage of the sale to Brian Russell. This supports the podcast and does not increase the price of the items you may choose to buy. Thank you for your support.