Things Above

Discover how five influential authors reshaped James Bryan Smith's spiritual journey. He shares his insights on overcoming personal shame and perfectionism, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion. Learn about the concept of surrendering to divine love and exploring inner emotions through the lens of leading thinkers. Each author contributes a unique perspective on healing and vulnerability, reminding us that love ultimately holds us.

Explore the depths of faith as James Bryan Smith discusses embracing life's highs and lows through the lens of Gospel healing stories. He shares the touching tale of a woman who bravely reached out to Jesus, emphasizing that true faith is about courage, not merit. The conversation introduces the DENY acronym—Depend, Embrace, Nurture, Yield—contrasting self-reliance with the power of surrendering to God. Ultimately, discover how Christ meets us in our struggles and triumphs, inviting us to find solace in His wounds.

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with Aundi Kolber about her book, “Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode–and into a Life of Connection and Joy.” Aundi Kolber believes that we don’t have to white-knuckle our way through life. In her debut book, Try Softer, she’ll show us how God specifically designed our bodies and minds to work together to process our stories and work through obstacles. Through the latest psychology, practical clinical exercises, and her own personal story, Aundi equips and empowers us to connect us to our truest self and truly live. This is the “try softer” life. In Try Softer, you’ll learn how to: Know and set emotional and relational boundaries Make sense of the difficult experiences you’ve had Identify your attachment style―and how that affects your relationships today Move through emotions rather than get stuck by them Grow in self-compassion and talk back to your inner critic Trying softer is sacred work. And while it won’t be perfect or easy, it will be worth it. Because this is what we were made for: a living, breathing, moving, feeling, connected, beautifully incarnational life. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Integrate Like Jesus 2. Your Project 3. Live By The Spirit 4. Conversation with Michael Stewart Robb 5. False Frames The post Conversation with Aundi Kolber appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

Explore the profound integration of Christian identity in everyday life. The discussion highlights how Jesus engaged in family, work, play, and entertainment, showcasing their importance in spiritual practice. Smith emphasizes the significance of family as a kingdom practice and the value of work in creating relationships. He also advocates for viewing play as grace and offers practical tips for mindful living. The dialogue wraps up with inspirational reminders to embody a holistic approach to faith.

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is “pay attention to your project.” In this episode, James addresses some big questions about the project of our life and why it’s so important we understand what a spiritually fulfilling life looks like. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Live By The Spirit 2. Conversation with Michael Stewart Robb 3. False Frames 4. Everything Okay Forever 5. Awe Filled Appreciation The post Your Project appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

James Bryan Smith’s thought for this week is, “Live By The Spirit.” In this episode, James quotes several passages from C.S. Lewis’s book Mere Christianity to help explain his thought. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Conversation with Michael Stewart Robb 2. False Frames 3. Everything Okay Forever 4. Awe Filled Appreciation 5. Conversation with Ian Morgan Cron The post Live By The Spirit appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

In this engaging conversation, Michael Stewart Robb, founding director of Sanctus and expert on Dallas Willard, dives into the profound impact of Willard's teachings on both academia and spirituality. They explore the challenge of making Willard's complex theology accessible, while also reflecting on the intersection of solitude and personal growth. The discussion illuminates the habits vital for Christian living, the ongoing curiosity surrounding Willard's work, and the gaps in spiritual formation, particularly in Europe.

In this episode, James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is, “Find freedom from the false frames.” This week, James talks about three false narratives that he had to change in his life. Smith uses the image of a frame to help explain his thought from above. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Everything Okay Forever 2. Awe Filled Appreciation 3. Conversation with Ian Morgan Cron 4. Solitude 5. Trusting and Training The post False Frames appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “Jesus makes everything okay forever.” In this episode, James discusses a recently-read book titled “The Thing That Would Make Everything Okay Forever: Transcendence, Psychedelics, and Jesus Christ.” The author, Ashley Lande, wrote this to describe her book: For years, psychedelics were my religion. All I ever wanted was The Thing That Would Make Everything Okay Forever, the panacea, the cure for what plagued me. From those first moments when I tasted the earthy pulp of a psilocybin mushroom, it was love. Psychedelics were my sacrament. They shot me into cathedral vaults. The promise of eternal life through chemicals glittered seductively, but hid a yawning abyss. The Thing That Would Make Everything Okay Forever tells my story of psychedelic devastation and spiritual rescue. It chronicles my trajectory from acid enthusiast to soul-weary druggie to psychedelic refugee. I finally found The Thing That Would Make Everything Okay Forever―in the last place I thought to look. Interested in donating to the Things Above Podcast? Donate here! Learn more about the Christian Spiritual Formation degree Scholarship at Friends University! Related Episodes: 1. Awe Filled Appreciation 2. Conversation with Ian Morgan Cron 3. Solitude 4. Trusting and Training 5. Conversation with Alison Cook The post Everything Okay Forever appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

James Bryan Smith’s thought from above today is, “Practice Awe-Filled Appreciation.” In this episode, James teaches us the spiritual practice of Awe-Filled Appreciation. James gives five examples of why this practice is helpful and how to do it independently. Related Episodes: 1. Solitude 2. Solitude 3. Trusting and Training 4. Conversation with Alison Cook 5. Two Kinds of Faith The post Awe Filled Appreciation appeared first on Apprentice Institute.