Spirituality For Ordinary People

"There's something about naming God's goodness in a thing that softens your heart toward it."—John van Sloten.Episode 55 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with John van Sloten. In it, we focus on three areas: 1) God's presence in popular culture 2) Our jobs as parables for understanding GodThe interview is a deep dive into understanding the revelation of God. How is God speaking / or revealing himself.Key LearningsThere is always an opportunity to learn about or know God.We are made in the image of a God who works, therefore our jobs are imaging of God.Things to Think AboutReflect on your work. How is your job a parable for understanding God?Spiritual Practices Discussed in this EpisodeThis whole episode is about seeing God everywhere!Links and Resources:John van Sloten's Website - includes the sermons referenced in the interviewThe Day Metallica Came to Church: Searching for the Everywhere God in EverythingEvery Job a Parable: What Walmart Greeters, Nurses, and Astronauts Tell Us abou

"God isn't just some outside force looking at me or some infinite force that created the universe but God is actually in me...and I can take these inner nudges and actions into my daily life."—Rich LewisHow can you actually get closer to God in such a way that you are really experiencing God's presence on a regular basis?Episode 54 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview Rich Lewis. In it, we focus very specifically on the practice of centering prayer. We go over what it is, how it works, and the four steps you can follow to try centering prayer.Key LearningsCentering prayer is a tool or practice that assists you with entering into contemplative prayer. Contemplative prayer is purely sitting with God with no agenda - simply being in God's presence.If you are new to the practice of centering prayer, it is best to try and do it every day for a month before deciding whether it is for you. (This is likely true of any new spiritual practice).Trusting that if you hear something from God it will re

"Silence is radical...Getting away from technology, getting away from everything, is radical."—Paul AngoneTwenty-somethings and thirty-somethings continue to long for something more or have a sense that life or the world is not as it should be. How can we do better self-examination, especially when failure, disappointment, tragedy, or struggle is close?Episode 53 of Spirituality for Ordinary People features an interview with Paul Angone, author of 101 Secrets For Your Twenties and 101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties. Paul helps people in their twenties and thirties grapple with life in ways that are practical, helpful, and deeply spiritual.Key LearningsKnowing your soul values is so important. One must figure out how they interact with God and with the truth of Scripture. It is also important to understand the difference between your strengths and the values that you hold in your heart.We absolutely need time away, particularly time away from technology, whether it is physically going on a hike or

"You don't have to have an 'S' on your chest if you have a savior in your heart."—Dan StanfordNorth American culture is saturated with the superhero motif. Why is that, and what hopes and needs is the pop culture superhero tapping into? Why do we flock to superhero stories, and what does it mean to embrace ordinary-ness as a better way to life?Episode 52 of Spirituality for Ordinary people features an interview with Dan Stanford, author, and pastor of The Well Church in Kenosha, WI. Dan's latest book is Losing the Cape: The Power of Ordinary in a World of SuperheroesThe discussion in this episode is wide-ranging. Dan doesn't advocate for simply a safe life, claiming we are made for adventure. He believes that God calls ordinary people to serve others in big and small ways. We aren't waiting for a super-hero to save the day, nor are we superheroes with the burden of saving others.Key LearningsThe people who are willing to do the little things that make the greatest difference over a period of time.God's got pe

 "Good questions can change the trajectory of peoples' futures."—J.R. BriggsPeople are asking deep and difficult questions in their lives and there is an inclination in our culture to fixate on easy or quick-fix answers. What does it look like to sit with questions, ask better questions, and how can a focus on questions help us in our walk with Christ?Episode 51 of Spirituality for Ordinary people features an interview with J.R. Briggs, author, pastor, and founder of Kairos Partnerships. J.R. brings thoughtful reflection, study, wisdom, and encouragement in the area of question asking.Key LearningWe often seek guidance and direction from God just wanting "the answer." But God's invitation to us is full of delight, wonder, and the unknown.Curiosity and wonder can be central to journeying with Jesus. We engage in wonder with a mindset of questions rather than only wanting answers.We study the parables of Jesus, the miracles of Jesus, but rarely do we study Jesus' questions. The gospels record Jesus as asking 32

Episode 50 celebrates the one year anniversary of the Spirituality for Ordinary People Podcast. Ashley Boychuk joins our host, Matthew Brough, and she interviews him.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com

MARCH 27 - LAST DAY TO ENTER THE BIG GOD BOOK GIVEAWAY WITH 24 BOOKS!ENTER HERE: https://spiritualityforordinarypeople.com/giveawayEpisode 49 features an interview with Rev. Peter Bush. Peter is serving a one year term as the moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. He is the minister at Westwood Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg and the author of several books. He is passionate about congregations and individuals living the love of Jesus in action and telling the story of Jesus in words.Peter has a heart for small congregations, having led workshops, coached leadership teams and offered training events to help small congregations thrive in remote, rural, suburban and urban contexts. To this end he has authored two books, In Dying we are Born (Alban, 2008) and with Christine O’Reilly, Where Twenty or Thirty are Gathered (Alban, 2006).Some of What We Talk AboutHow interactions on social media have been among the most surprising things about his year as moderator.Why his prayers as the moderator have struc

Episode 48 features an interview with Lacey Buchanan. Lacey and her family are truly amazing. Her oldest son, Christian, was born with a rare form of cleft lip and palate called Tessier cleft lip and palate, classifications 3, 4, 5. Christian is completely blind. He is medically complex, but rocking this thing called life! Christian and his mom, Lacey, are on a mission to spread hope to others, share truths about having a disability and raising a child with one, and showing the world how to overcome life's toughest obstacles!Lacey shares her family's story openly through her facebook page and through her book, Through the Eyes of Hope.Lacey's book is also part of this MASSIVE giveaway that is open until March 28th, 2018. click here to view the main giveaway page and see the other books being featured! Some of What We Talk AboutSeeing God in the midst of life's roller coastersThe difficulty and the heaviness of theirWhat it really means to have a relationship with God and to really trust in God.How we often mi

Episode 47 features an interview with Lacy Clark Ellman. She is a spiritual director, maker, and facilitator who speaks the language of pilgrimage and is always ready for the next adventure, having traveled to over twenty countries on four continents. Lacy provides resources, courses and guidance through her website, A Sacred Journey. Partway through the interview, Lacy shares her "rule of life for pilgrims," or "Pilgrim Principles," which was awesome! She goes through all seven principles and it is so good! You can get a free pdf of the principles by signing up for her newsletter at her website. Some of What We Talk AboutPilgrimage and journeyHow do we understand or define pilgrimageConnections between walking, wandering, traveling, slowing down, and connecting with God.The biblical roots of pilgrimage and wandering"the seeker is at the heart of each one of us."How we are invited into journies every day.How "going to Church" can be seen as a pilgrimage.How does someone live out being on a sacred journey in t

Episode 46 features an interview with Steve Saccone. He is a pioneer in the field of unrestricted education and leadership development. For more than a decade he’s been partnering with churches nationwide to design and launch innovative internship programs. He has been in pastoral ministry for more than fifteen years, and currently works with Southeasten University. Steve is the author of several books, including the one we speak about in this interview (co-written with Cheri Saccone), Talking About God: Honest Conversations about Spirituality Some of What We Talk AboutWhat is a spiritual conversation?How does one have authenticity in your beliefs or worldview while engaging in spiritual conversations with people who do not share that worldview?The importance of clarity on your own convictions and being honest with people, but not imposing views.Why is being open to a spiritual conversation with a non-believer is important?Do we come into spiritual conversations with an agenda?What it means to walk with gentl

Episode 45 features an interview with Paul Sohn. Paul is a leadership coach, speaker, and author. Formerly employed by both a Fortune 50 company and a Top 100 Great Place to Work Company, he the founder and CEO of QARA, an organization committed to empowering twenty-somethings to discover their God-given identity and calling. Paul is the best-selling author of Quarter-Life Calling: Pursuing Your God-Given Purpose in Your Twenties. Some of What We Talk AboutHow many 20 somethings are experiencing quarter-life crises.The danger and damage of comparing yourself to others, especially through social media.How finding your "dream job" may not bring fulfillment.The lostness of 20 somethings and what to do about it.The search for purpose - when do we ask God about His purpose for our lives.When does one become an adultCoping with the pace of changeHow calling is primarily about the callerWe ought to always talk about callings (plural) rather than calling.How can one discover their callingsDoes everyone have a calling

Episode 44 features an interview with Jon Fuller. Jon is the host of the Are Your Real: Finding the Authentic You Podcast, one of the top podcasts in Religion and Spirituality. He is the author of D.I.Y. Remodel Your Life. Jon is also just a regular person—his main job is running a construction business. Jon explains why he started his podcast, and how it moved from a hobby to a close to full-time ministry, and how it is expanding. He is completely honest about his early walk with God, including the bumpy road of actually accepting Christ. Jon is simply full of energy and is generally a fascinating person to listen to. Some of What We Talk AboutPodcasting and providing a platform for others.What being honest and authentic looks likeWhy it is important to be yourself - only you can be you.Jon's story of healing and restoration.The common thread in the Are You Real Podcast - obedience and trust.Journey and the building of characterWhat it means to let your light shine. Why it is a good thing to be great at usin

Episode 43 features and interview with Jo Saxton and Stephanie O'Brien. Jo and Steph are the leaders and voices of the LeadStories podcast, which focusses on telling leadership stories. They speak about leadership in the broadest senses: at church, in the workplace, at home. Jo Saxton  is a Nigerian Londoner - A pastor, missional leader, speaker and leadership coach. She is board chair of 3DMovements, and on the advisory board for Today’s Christian Women. Jo is the author of 4 books, including her lastest book that we talk about extensively in the interview:  The Dream of You. Stephanie O'Brien is one of the lead pastors of Mill City Church. She is a professor for ministry classes at Bethel University and Seminary and has experience coaching leaders and churches around the United States and Canada with 3DMovements, The Missional Network and as well as through her own consulting content. Some of What We Talk AboutThis is such an amazing conversation. So much is covered! Toward the end, we of course talk about

You’ve heard of March Madness. Well, what about Lent Madness? The guest on episode 42 is the Rev. Tim Schenk, who started Lent Madness in 2010. In seeking a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Anglican Church’s Calendar of Saints, Tim came up with this unique Lenten devotion. Combining his love of sports with his passion for the lives of the saints, Lent Madness was born… This interview was a lot of fun. It is a reminder to not take ourselves too seriously—even in the very serious season of Lent! Tim talks about how important it is to still be joyful in the season that is marked with penitence, claiming that Lent is really about drawing nearer to God, strengthening our relationship with God—and what is more joyful than that! But what is Lent Madness?You can listen to the interview, or visit the Lent Madness website, but basically, here’s the deal… 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each pairing remains open for a set period of time

Episode 41 features an interview with Karl Vaters. Karl writes and speaks about leadership in the small church, including his own blog, and a Christianity Today blog called Pivot. He is the author of a Small Church Essentials: Field-Tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of under 250 and  The Grasshopper Myth: Big Churches, Small Churches and the Small Thinking that Divides Us and is the pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Fountain Valley, California. SOME OF WHAT WE TALK ABOUT:Why focus on small churches?What does it mean to be a healthy small church?Over 80% of churches are small churches (under 200 people)Over half of Christians are part of small churches - that is over 1 billion people.Why is there not more material directed toward or produced by small churches and small church leadership?What are the possibilities for spiritual practices that exist in a small church that may not be present in a larger church?Being forced to deal with conflict and how working it through provides gr

Episode 40 features an interview with Cheryl Wunderlich, author of Sacred Rest: Finding the Sabbath in the Everyday. Here's a bit from here bio... After years caught up in the whirlwind of family life, motherhood, work, and ministry, Cheryl couldn’t imagine allowing rest for herself—until cancer forced her to stop. In her crushing battle with exhaustion, she began to hear God’s still, small voice inviting her to hope, be restored, and to find deep soul-quenching rest in Him. God’s rest was her way back to life. Some of What We Talk About:What the Bible says about restHow we can be far off from God’s vision of rest for our livesGod ordering the world with a pattern of regular restHow breaking the Sabbath is more serious than we thinkHow keeping sabbath is an act of faith/trust in GodHow sabbath is a giftHow we need boundaries to prevent working too muchSabbath as a time for worship and abiding in GodEvaluating the work that you are doing - asking whether the busyness of your life is really what God wants you t

Subscribe: iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Radio | Google PlayEpisode 39 of the podcast features an interview with Sarah Bessey. She is the author of Jesus Feminist and Out of Sorts and has also written for numerous publications including Huffington Post, The High Calling, Conversations Journal, ChurchLeaders.com, Her.meneutics – Christianity Today’s Blog for Women, Converge Magazine, SheLoves Magazine, RELEVANT Magazine, and Today’s Christian Woman. Sarah preaches and teaches regularly.I found out pretty quickly that Sarah is generous and gracious. What an amazing interview! What she shared is a little tough to summarize, but we basically talked about Jesus, Church, and how her introduction to ancient practices helped her find a home in a time when she was hurting and experiencing unanswered prayers.Some of What We Talk About:Sarah’s family background and how her family coming to faith was complete turn your life aroundKnowing a lot about Church, but not really knowing JesusHow knowing Jesus as an adult can be co

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com