Meditation

Episode 131

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SHOW NOTES

We are approaching a new season. The days will get longer now. The darkness will be more and more dispelled. The days of Lent are near. Easter is coming, but not yet.

Lent is a time for self-examination and reflection - it is the 40 days leading up to Easter. In these 40 days, we are invited to look deeper and to look within. It's a time of humbling ourselves and recognizing what is most dead in us -- and with that, what needs to come alive in us!

And that is why Potter’s Inn and Steve has created a resource that will guide you in those 40 days of self-examination and reflection, called 40 Days, 40 Miles, 40 Questions: A Lenten Journey.

On today’s podcast episode, Steve explains this new resource in depth and why 40 Questions in 40 Miles for 40 Days: A Lenten Journey is a spiritual practice that engages the body, heart, mind, and soul.

Thanks for joining us today!

Resources Mentioned in Podcast

40 Days, 40 Miles, 40 Questions: A Lenten Journey by Stephen W. Smith

MUSIC USED IN PODCAST

  • Music Break at 25:50: Agnus Dei from Missa Papae Marcelli from the album Classical Music for Contemplation.

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Episode 106 - The Future of the Church with Aaron Niequist

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SHOW NOTES

So deconstruction is not demolition, demolition is easy. You just rent a bulldozer, knock it all down. That’s easy. That’s not all that courageous - you can knock things down. But deconstruction, to say there is some good here and there is some toxicity here. How do I do the work to humbly enter in to take this piece, pull this layer back to explore? It’s more about curiosity. But it’s also so difficult. People underestimate the pain. The pain that initiates deconstruction, and then the pain of doing the deconstruction.
— Aaron Niequist

Aaron Niequist is our guest today, and his discussion with Steve is vulnerable, honest, and courageous. Steve asks, what will the church of the future look like? (and Aaron gives an answer that might surprise you!) And what can we envision now to help us lay the foundation for a church we both need and want? We were deeply moved and encouraged by what Aaron had to say, and believe you will be also. Welcome to our conversation with Aaron Niequist.


About Aaron Niequist

Aaron Niequist

Aaron Niequist is a liturgist, writer, and pastor in New York City. After leading worship at Mars Hill Church (Grand Rapids, MI) and Willow Creek Church (Barrington, IL), he created A New Liturgy - a collection of modern liturgical worship recordings. He then curated a discipleship-focused, formational, ecumenical, practice-based community at Willow Creek called “The Practice”. Aaron has written his first book, The Eternal Current, about a practice-based faith, and creating resources to help others flesh it out. The best part of his life is his wife Shauna, and their sons Henry and Mac. 

Mentioned in podcast

MUSIC USED IN PODCAST

  • First Music Break at 32:06 – Drowning (Instrumental) by Haakon Haug

  • Second Music Break at 55:58 – The Road Home by Stephen Paulus, performed by Stanford Chamber Chorale


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Episode 105 - Change the Way you Look at the Bible with Pete Enns

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SHOW NOTES

The Bible is sort of like a means of grace. It’s almost like it’s not a sacrament, but it’s almost like a sacrament. It’s something you engage and by the act of engaging it and even struggling with it, you’re actually communing with God in some way.
— Pete Enns

This is an honest and invigorating conversation with Dr. Peter Enns, scholar and author.  Steve explores What is the Bible? How do we interpret the Bible in today’s world? 

Controversial evangelical Bible scholar, popular blogger, podcast host of The Bible for Normal People, and author of The Bible Tells Me So and The Sin of Certainty, Dr. Peter Enns explains that the Bible is not an instruction manual or rule book but a powerful learning tool that nurtures our spiritual growth by refusing to provide us with easy answers but instead forces us to acquire wisdom.

Is the Bible authoritative in our daily life and world events?  

What did God have in mind in offering us 66 books?

This is a conversation that will disturb some of us and challenge others. It’s time to re-think the Bible in light of the Bible becoming a weapon to beat up each other with.


About Peter Enns

Dr. Peter Enns (PhD, Harvard University) is Abram S. Clemens professor of Biblical Studies at Eastern University, St. Davids, PA. He has taught courses at several other institutions including Harvard University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary. Enns is a frequent contributor to journals and encyclopedias, and is the author of several books, including The Sin of Certainty, How the Bible Actually Works, and The Bible Tells Me So.  

Mentioned in podcast


MUSIC USED IN PODCAST

  • First Music Break at 38:46: River Flows in You by James Bartholomew

  • Second Music Break at 1:02:07:  Cantate Domino – Performed by Abbaye Notre-Dame de Fidélité.


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Episode 104 - The Closing of the American Mind, Part 2

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SHOW NOTES

“Once you've learned the power of perspective, you can just eventually put your telescope down and look at things as they really are and know that you have the power and the ability to deal with whatever crosses your path.”

We’ve got Part 2 of our conversation with Tom Morris today - so much wisdom in 34 minutes! Take some time to slow down and listen in to this great discussion on embracing uncertainty.

Special Guest Tom V. Morris

Tom Morris has become one of the most active public philosophers in the world due to his unusual ability to bring the greatest wisdom of the past into the challenges of the present.

A native of Durham, North Carolina and a Distinguished Alumnus of Durham Academy, Tom was a Morehead-Cain Scholar at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, which has honored him, along with Michael Jordan, as a recipient of their "Distinguished Young Alumnus Award." He holds two masters degrees as well as a joint Ph.D. in both Philosophy and Religious Studies from Yale University, as well as other, honorary doctorates in recognition of his public work of bringing practical philosophy back into the cultural mix. Tom served for fifteen years as a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, where he quickly became a campus legend, in many years having an eighth of the entire student body in his classes. Recent projects involve novels, nonfiction books, and a script for an immersive theatrical experience featuring AI and the robotics of five hundred years in the future. He is a firm believer that ideas rock the world. Tom is now Chairman of the Morris Institute for Human Values in Wilmington, NC.

Mentioned in podcast


MUSIC USED IN PODCAST

  • First Music Break at 11:13 – Stolen Land by Line Neesgaard. From www.Epicsound.com

  • Second Music Break at 32:06 – There Will Be Rest by Frank Ticheli. Based on a poem by Sara Teasdale, Performed by Kantorei.


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We have two ways to make it easy for you:

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JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 103 - The Closing of the American Mind, Part 1

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SHOW NOTES

Welcome to the 7th Season of the podcast! We are excited to begin the season with our special guest Tom Morris, a prolific author and philosopher who will chat with Steve about the difference between education and indoctrination; how uncertainty is the canvas on which all our lives are painted; and how we should walk in uncertainty, mystery, and doubt without rushing quickly to find fact and theory.

Thanks for joining us today!

Special Guest Tom V. Morris

Tom Morris has become one of the most active public philosophers in the world due to his unusual ability to bring the greatest wisdom of the past into the challenges of the present.

A native of Durham, North Carolina and a Distinguished Alumnus of Durham Academy, Tom was a Morehead-Cain Scholar at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, which has honored him, along with Michael Jordan, as a recipient of their "Distinguished Young Alumnus Award." He holds two masters degrees as well as a joint Ph.D. in both Philosophy and Religious Studies from Yale University, as well as other, honorary doctorates in recognition of his public work of bringing practical philosophy back into the cultural mix. Tom served for fifteen years as a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, where he quickly became a campus legend, in many years having an eighth of the entire student body in his classes. Recent projects involve novels, nonfiction books, and a script for an immersive theatrical experience featuring AI and the robotics of five hundred years in the future. He is a firm believer that ideas rock the world. Tom is now Chairman of the Morris Institute for Human Values in Wilmington, NC.



Mentioned in podcast

Poem: Opening the Heart's Door

Ours is not the work
of seeking You here
or there where we

think You might be,
but of opening
the heart’s door,

and when we do this
You cannot resist
coming in, since

our opening and Your
entering are one: You
knock and wait, and

when we open we
find that You were
there all along and

will not leave us.


MUSIC USED IN PODCAST

  • First Music Break at 19:50 – A Daisy in December by Mick MCauley & Winifred Horan. From the Album Serenade.

  • Second Music Break at 30:34 – Angelic Choir by Allen Grey. Licensed by Envato Elements.


SUPPORT THE PODCAST

We have two ways to make it easy for you:

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com



INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats

 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 102 - Christmas with Potter's Inn

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SHOW NOTES

Today we are bringing a bit of Christmas peace and soul care to each of you - much needed as we all get busy with the season. 

This podcast has so many beautiful songs of the season, plus encouragement and moments of reflection from Steve. When you listen, try to find a quiet place where you can forget your stresses and anxieties of the day.

We have included a Christmas with Potter's Inn Guide for the episode, which includes all the songs lyrics and readings, and links to mentioned resources. Sing along/read along if you feel like it!

Mentioned in podcast

READINGS & SCRIPTURE IN PODCAST

MUSIC USED IN PODCAST

  • First Music Break at 00:52:48Away in a Manger (Piano Version) by Johannes Bornlōf / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

  • Second Music Break at 8:13O Holy Night (Piano Version) by Johannes Bornlōf /courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

  • Third Music Break at 21:41 Silent Night, arranged Dan Forrest / from Beckenhorst Press

  • Fourth Music Break at 38:28My Lord has Come, performed by Voces8 on the Album Lux / Decca Music Group limited  / Words and Music by Will Todd

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

Please consider Potter’s Inn for your year-end giving - we have two ways to make it easy for you:

CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com

INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats

 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!

Episode 101 - 30 Days with the Potter

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SHOW NOTES

Today's conversation is about Steve's new book 30 Days with the Potter. The book is an invite for you to explore the story of your clay—the awakening of your own spiritual formation and the formation of others around you.

Learn why Steve wrote 30 Days with the Potter and hear Steve read from his favorite sections. It’s the accumulation of 67 years of learning and growing with the Potter!

Mentioned in podcast


MUSIC USED IN PODCAST



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Donate Here for an individual contribution or on Patreon to set up monthly support.




CONTACT US

podcast@pottersinn.com




INTERESTED IN MORE SOUL CARE RESOURCES?

Check out our recommended reading, books on spiritual growth, and our soul care blog. Want to experience soul care in person? Learn more about our soul care intensives and retreats

 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION HERE!