Episodes

In this episode of the Things above podcast, James Bryan Smith chats with author and pastor J.R. Briggs about a glorious thought that changed the trajectory of his life. Briggs offers a two-fold answer. First, it was the present availability of the kingdom of God and eternal living. The second thought centers on what it means to be a missionary in our everyday lives – to be a missionary cleverly disguised as a good neighbor. This has a critical connection to the message and activity of the local...

What is the true meaning of Christmas? In this episode of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith shares about growing up in the Methodist Church and the influence John Wesley had on his life. Interestingly enough, Richard Foster was the one who pointed Jim to Wesley’s writings and sermons. If he were alive today, Jim would ask John Wesley, “What does the incarnation mean for you and, consequently, for all of us?” Jim believes Wesley would say that, first and foremost, the coming of the Chri...

The events of our world can be troubling - leading to fear, anxiety and panic. In this episode of the Things above podcast, James Bryan Smith asks, “Is our world governed by fear? Is our fate decided by a roll of the dice?” The short answer is no – because we live in the strong and unshakable kingdom of God. Jesuit priest Luis Espinal wrote a mediation that helps us grapple with the events of our world and the hope we have through Jesus. What troubles are you facing? Can you hear the alleluia be...

Is it possible for God to overcome our shame? In this episode of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith tells the story of how the great Christian writer, Simone Weil, came to faith simply by reading a poem written by George Herbert, entitled “Love III.” Jim explains that there are certain ideas that we, as humans, believe about yourselves. Yet there are certain things God says that refute those ideas. For instance, we feel guilty because of sin, yet God still loves us. We feel unworthy bef...

Many Christians are living into a shrunken, incomplete gospel that leads to sin management. To be sure, our relationship with God was severed by sin. But our sin problem is only a part of the issue. In this episode of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith looks at our sin problem and offers, perhaps more importantly, that we also have a life problem and a longing problem. Even if we never sinned, we would still need God’s grace – God’s action in our lives. Our life problem, Jim believes, c...

As humans, we all experience problems and trials. Not just the small things, like spilling our coffee or forgetting to reply to our mom’s text message. We experience big problems, such as prolonged illness and career struggles. What trials are you facing right now? Are you in need of protection? In this episode of the Things above podcast, James Bryan Smith shares the little-known story of Saint Patrick, who was taken by pirates and sold into slavery in Ireland where Christianity was not present...

How do you understand the kingdom of God, Jesus’ gospel and salvation? In episode 15 of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith sits down for a conversation with pastor and author Brian Zahnd who, many years ago, experienced a growing discontent with the version of Christianity he knew and was living. Then he stumbled across a little book called The Divine Conspiracy, which helped him see the kingdom of God with fresh eyes and reconstructed his faith in a life-changing way. Both Jim and Bria...

What can a Martin guitar, autographed by music legend Eric Clapton, teach us about God? In this episode of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith continues his story about one of the greatest gifts ever given to him and the epiphanies that came through it. So what can an expensive guitar teach us about God? Well first, that Jesus wants to be the maestro of our life. When we run our little "kingdoms and queendoms" on our own and the music isn’t very good. But when we surrender to Jesus and s...

Is giving truly better than receiving? Most of the time, the answer is yes. But sometimes receiving can be a life-changing experience too. In this episode, James Bryan Smith tells of how the gift of a valuable, limited-edition guitar helped him understand that we are people of sacred worth. When receiving something of great value, we naturally feel the need to take extra special care of that gift. As Jim received the guitar, he immediately felt the need to do everything he could to keep the guit...

Forgiving others can be hard. Forgiving ourselves can be harder. Yet forgiveness is the way to freedom.

God’s love is revealed in beauty. Because of that, beauty is a large part of our spiritual journey. In episode 11 of Things Above, James Bryan Smith invites you to rethink how you understand beauty. Drawing from the wisdom of people like Thomas Aquinas, Hans Urs von Balthasar, John O’Donohue and Simone Weil, we discover that beauty has the power to transport us to love. O’Donohue writes, “In order to become attentive to beauty, we need to rediscover the art of reverence. Reverence bestows dignit...

In episode 10 of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith interviews pastor and author John Ortberg about his latest book, “Eternity is Now in Session.” In addition to recalling a humorous story of their first speaking engagement together in 1988, Jim and John discuss the impact that Dallas Willard’s writings and personal friendship had on each of their lives. In particular, they agree on Dallas’s teaching that authentic transformation is possible if we’re willing to arrange our lives around ...

God is real. And God’s love for us is also real. But how do we really know God loves us? In Episode 09 of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith tells us the only thing that is credible is love. Our faith is not built on an argument or logic, but by what God, in Jesus Christ, has done for us – namely the incarnation (in which he came to be with us) and the cross (in which he reconciled humanity to God). Not only does God love us, but He likes us and delights in us. Smith ends the episode wi...

The incarnation of God is both a mysterious and wondrous event to ponder. In Episode 08 of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith gives thought to Jesus Christ, who was fully divine and fully human. Have you ever noticed how little was written about Jesus’s childhood in Scripture? What was normal life like for Jesus growing up? What do you think Jesus was like as a kid? Christian music artist Rich Mullins sang a song about these very questions. The mystery of the incarnation is at the heart...

By setting our minds on things above, we can live a Godward life and, as the Apostle Paul says, walk in the Spirit. This is a powerful way of living. If someone were to ask you about a passage in Scripture that offers the best depiction of life in the kingdom, what would you say? In Episode 07 of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith slowly walks us through the 23rd Psalm, reveals what he believes is the most important verse in the Bible and shares a story of his childhood pet duck, JB. Ke...

Every one of us has experienced “hope” of some kind. We hope to marry the right person. We hope our kids live long and healthy lives. We hope our favorite baseball team wins the World Series. Yet there is a big difference between worldly hope and Christian hope. Hope is not wishful thinking about the future. Hope is certainty in a good future. In Episode 06 of the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith shares what the Apostle Paul considers a “glorious thought” on the topic of hope and how we b...

In our very first Things Above Conversation, James Bryan Smith interviews Emily P. Freeman about finding God in our everyday lives and the nearness of the kingdom.

In our fourth episode, James Bryan Smith explains how eternal life does not begin after you die. It begins in this life and it includes an interactive relationship with God.

The finality of the cross is only half the story. In this episode, James Bryan Smith shares the rest of the story, which includes the secret to overcoming sin. That is, the power of the resurrected Christ in us and through us.

In this episode, James Bryan Smith discusses how false narratives of sin and salvation damage our spiritual lives and how to change those narratives through the lens of the cross. Related episodes: 1. Wired for Worship 2. Source of Life 3. The Gift of Pain 4. Moved to Pray 5. Practicing Patience The post Finality of the Cross appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

Welcome to episode 01 of the “Things Above” podcast. In this episode, James Bryan Smith states that we are one in whom Christ dwells and delights. He unpacks this “power narrative” by connecting it to our value as a result of Christ dwelling in us. Related episodes: 1. Second Birth 2. Things Above Conversation with J.R. Briggs 3. Worry 4. Be Mindful 5. God’s Beloved The post Episode 01 appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

Welcome to the pilot episode of the “Things Above” podcast hosted by James Bryan Smith! This is a podcast for “mind discipleship.” It is for those who want to set their minds on “things above” (Col. 3:2). Each week James Bryan Smith will offer a glorious thought—something good and beautiful and true, something excellent and praiseworthy—to fill your mind with heavenly truths. Related episodes: 1. Spiritual Mirror 2. Jesus Holds Everything Together 3. Your Identity is in the Invitation 4. Al...