Spirituality For Ordinary People

Episode 9 of the podcast is with Juno-award winning musician, Steve Bell. This interview was such an amazing experience, recorded in Steve's own studio in Winnipeg. Steve was incredibly gracious and generous with his time and his honest sharing. Steve shared a ton in this episode, and you can find all kinds of links on the Spirituality for Normal People Website that reference just some of what Steve spoke about.This podcast episode also features several of Steve's songs, used with his permission.Get the full and very extensive show notes on the Spirituality for Normal People Website 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

Listen in as Matthew Brough talks about Psalm 2 and the struggle we sometimes find between love and justice. 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

Episode 8 of the Spirituality for Normal People Podcast features an interview with United Church minister Robin McGauley. Robin is a metalsmith, makes amazing art and jewelry, and is also a Certified Labyrinth Facilitator, a faculty member of the Expressive Arts program at the Haliburton School of Art and Design, and a graduate of the Jubilee program in spiritual direction.We discuss a quote on Robin's website but never get around to actually saying what it is. Here's the quote from Dark Nights of the Soul by Thomas MooreSome things are best done in the dark, including the transformation of raw material into tools and pieces of art. There is a smith in our soul who works the failures and successes of everyday life into eternal shapes that make us who we are. It's not extraordinary, this dark place of heat and hammering, but rather an unspectacular scene of hard work. You might think of your dark night as such a place and realize the importance of keeping it stocked and fired and dim. Your job is to provide th

Episode 7 of the Spirituality for Normal People Podcast features an interview with Rev. Germaine Lovelace, minister of First Presbyterian Church in Kenora, Ontario, Canada. Prior to serving in this small town, Germaine ministered in his home country of Jamaica. Here are some of the topics discussed in the interview:The struggle of Church membership in small town, increasingly secular, contextsMinistering among the poor and the importance of the Church for the poor in small townsThe difference in response to the gospel between Jamaican and Canadian contextsHow serving and connecting with those in need can provide fuel for the spiritual lifeCommunicating in other culturesConsistent prayer life and devotions to stay grounded in GodWhat is means to pray without ceasingPrayer as the first place rather than last resortReading a lot of devotionalsMisconceptions about spirituality - what is it and who is it for?What do you do when you don’t “feel” God’s presence? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss

Listen in as Matthew Brough talks about Psalm 1 and the wonderful image of being like a tree planted by streams of water. 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

In this 6th episode, Shannon Kiser, speaks about finding God in the midst of a sometimes chaotic and busy life. Shannon is the Director of Training for Fresh Expressions US. She also works supporting the Coaching Network for New Churches in The Presbyterian Church USA and it on on staff at Riverside Presbyterian Church, in Sterling, Virginia.Some of the things we talk about in this episode:staying on track spiritually in the midst of busynessreading the Bible in a year (or, trying to…)leaning into friends who are people of faith to get unstuckSpiritual practices that work for others that don’t work for “me”thinking about where God is in the midst of life, and being responsive to opportunities to talk about God.How being involved in Fresh Expressions and Church Planting has informed Shannon’s spiritual life.How do you leave space for the Spirit when there are already plans for Church or life in place.For links and resources visit the Spirituality for Normal People website This is a public episode. If you would

Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart is Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership at St. Andrew’s Hall.  Ross serves as the Presbyterian Director of Denominational Formation at Vancouver School of Theology as well as an Adjunct Professor of Homiletics at St. Mark’s College, UBC. He also teaches regularly at Regent College. In this interview we discuss:What ministry students need in terms of their spirituality, and the importance of deep prayer practices.A new monastic experiment at St. Andrew’s Hall called The Salt Light House.What do pastors need to do to help people in congregations learn and live out spiritual practices?Embracing a teaching liturgy in worship & why it’s important to explain what is going on in worship.Being in community as a spiritual practice & the problem of isolationWhat it means for all Christians to be gathered as disciples (learners), and sent out as apostles (sent-ones).Family meals, family worship, family movie nightThe importance of prayer, scripture readin

This week's episode is a great practical interview with Author, Speaker, Retreat Leader, and Spiritual Director, Jean Wise. Jean blogs regularly at healthyspirituality.org. You should really check out the tons of posts and resources on her page!In the course of the interview we discuss:What it is like to go on a personal spiritual retreat, including how to prepare for and reflect after a silent retreat.The power of journalingWriting a Rule of LifeWhat is Spiritual Direction and how talking to a Spiritual Director is different than talking to the pastor at your Church.How to get out of a spiritual rutThe importance of support systemsFocussing on the Next Step in your spiritual walk.Remembering to pray and apps that can help you pray.The importance of space.Living and thriving in the second half of life - Looking at the spiritual needs in retirement years.For Links and Resources Mentioned in this Episode visit spiritualityfornormalpeople.com/jeanwise This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this w

What a fantastic interview!The guest on episode three was Matthew Ruttan. He is the minister of Westminister Presbyterian Church in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. He also writes a regular devotional called Up.We had a wide ranging and super-practical conversation. Some of what we discussed:How it can be work to tend to spirituality.What to do when you “don’t feel like it.”The Psalms as being an anchor for spiritualitydoing less, betterHow to engage spiritually when you are so busy and distractedLimited fasting, including a discussion of how fasting works.Simple suggestions for how to practically live out kindness and generosity.Living with integrityThe connections between service and prayerGetting out of a “spiritual rut.”Being consistent with your kids/familyFind resources and links from this episode at http://www.spiritualityfornormalpeople.com/matthewruttan/ 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

I was thrilled to have Theresa McDonald-Lee on this second episode of the Spirituality for Normal People Podcast.Theresa is the co-executive Director of Camp Kintail, a camp of the Presbyterian Church in Canada located on the shores of Lake Huron.Over the course of the conversation, we talked about her spiritual practice of memorizing Psalms and reciting them to her children. She also shared about what it means to live out her faith in front of her kids. As the director of a very busy camp, Theresa has incredible insight into how to help children, teens, and young adults develop in their walk with Jesus.For full show notes with links to resources, visit the Spirituality for Normal People Website. 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

In this first episode of Spirituality for Normal People, your host, Matthew Brough, explains why he's starting the podcast, what the episodes will focus on, and gives a few tidbits about upcoming interviews. This is a preview episode. The real deal, with the very first interview, starts in episode 2!!! 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