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In this episode, James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is, “You must live the exchanged life.” Smith opens the episode by telling us that we are all saints. He goes on to explain how we are saints and how we...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Angela Gorrell about her latest book, “The Gravity of Joy.” Dr. Angela Williams Gorrell joined Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary in Fall 2019 as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. Prior...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, “You are dedicated.” In this episode, James recounts a story in which he was fasting to help explain his thought from above. Smith closes the episode by telling us we are...
In this episode, James Bryan Smith thought from above is, “there are benefits to doubt.” Smith gives us three reasons to explain why there are benefits to doubt in our faith. The first reason is doubt allows you to make...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Dr. Amy Bragg Carey. Amy is the fourteenth president of Friends University and is currently in her seventh year as president. She previously served as vice president for institutional advancement at...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is, Jesus is Lord. Smith opens the episode with a reading of Colossians chapter three to help illustrate his thought from above. To close the episode, James reads a passage from Dr....
James Bryan Smith talks about two kinds of love, “gift love” and “need love.” In this episode Smith’s thought from above is, to love one another just as Jesus has loved us. “Need Love”, is a kind of longing love...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Dr. Michael Wise. Michael Wise is an internationally recognized expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls. He frequently lectures on the Dead Sea Scrolls from coast to coast. Dr. Wise is ordained...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above comes from Saint John of Kronstadt. In this episode, James reads an excerpt from the writings of Saint John of Kronstadt. Smith uses this passage to help us look for traces of mercy. Interested...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, don’t trifle with our God. Smith recounts a story where Dallas Willard asked him a question that he could not answer. The question was, does God ever let us get...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with author and speaker Marlena Graves. James asks Marlena about her latest book, “The Way Up Is Down” and why she wrote the book. Marlena is a writer, deep thinker, and speaker...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is; The way of Jesus is Both And.” In this episode, James tells a story about his one message, the grace of God. To help explain his thought from above, Jim states...
In this episode, James Bryan Smith tells us how we can experience an authentic change in our spiritual life. He begins the episode with a quote from 2nd Corinthians chapter three verse eighteen. Smith uses this verse to help explain...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Brian Zahnd. Jim and Brian talk about his latest book, “When Everything’s on Fire.” Jim asks Brian why he wrote this book and both discuss the impact of secularism in society...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “everything is a gift.” To help illustrate his thought from above, Smith tells the story of Alexander Hamilton. James goes on to further explain his thought from above with a...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “can I be a witness?” Smith gets his thought from above from a book he read by his friend Angela Gorrell. In the book, Angela explains two important ideas about...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Curt Thompson about his latest book “The Soul of Desire.” Curt Thompson MD, is a psychiatrist, speaker, and author. Inspired by deep compassion for others and informed from a Christian perspective,...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is, “God can.” Smith learned this from his late great teacher, Ray Anderson while in seminary. In this episode, James explains his thought from above in greater detail. To help explain his thought from...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “God is on your side.” Smith starts off the episode with a story about Eugene Peterson and his son. James continues the episode with another story about his friend Trevor....
The thought from above in this episode is, “the soul knows best.” James Bryan Smith opens this episode with Psalm 25 to help explain his thought from above. Throughout the episode, Smith gives us definitions of the soul versus the...
The thought from above in this episode is, kingdom obedience brings kingdom abundance. James Bryan Smith explains how we can have kingdom abundance through kingdom obedience. Smith gives us his definition of grace, which is God’s action in our lives....
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Dr. Jeff Bjorck. Dr. Bjorck is a pianist, composer, and arranger with six solo piano albums to his credit. In addition, he is also a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology....
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “create a vision for life.” Smith’s thought from above comes his mentor Dallas Willard. Dallas taught Jim about many things but one of the most important was his teaching on...
In this episode James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is, “take leaps with faith.” In this episode James defines faith as “an extension of knowledge based on knowledge.” To help illustrate his thought from above, Smith tells the story of...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Philip Yancey. Philip is one of the best-selling contemporary Christian authors. In this episode, Jim interviews Philip on his memoir “Where the Light Fell.” Jim and Philip discuss the book as...
In this episode, James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is; be happy for God. Smith quotes from the book, “The Divine Conspiracy” by Dallas Willard to help explain his thought from above. James points out that we should seek out...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week is; Look for the Glory. Smith opens the episode with a story about a photograph he saw in Australia back in 2017. This photo reminded Jim of Psalm 119 and how it...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with author Sarah Clarkson. In this episode, James and Sarah discuss her book “This Beautiful Truth.” In This Beautiful Truth, Sarah shares her own encounters with beauty in the midst of her...
The thought from above in this episode is, know your enemy. James Bryan Smith explains how the enemy (the devil) tries to deceive us and what we can do to defend ourselves from him. Smith quotes from Ephesians 6:11-17 to...
The thought from above this week is, sin is slop. In this episode, James Bryan Smith gives us two ways to help us win the battle against sin. The first is to stay focused on God, and the second is...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with Bruce McNicol and Robby Angle. Smith asks both guests questions about their work with Trueface, and the book “The Cure.” Both Bruce and Robby will be teaching at The Apprentice Gathering...
In the second episode of season four, for the Things Above podcast, James Bryan Smith thought from above is; “you are blessed.” Smith begins the episode with a story about his new puppy Wesley. The thought from above came to...
Season 4 has arrived! James Bryan Smith’s thought from above this week focuses on soul wellness. Smith opens the episode by saying we have a soul, and it is very needy. In the episode, James announces he finished the 4th...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with Casey Tygrett. Casey is back for his second appearance on the Things Above podcast. In this episode, Casey and James talk about the impact the pandemic has had on us now...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with Dorothy Greco. In this episode James and Dorothy discuss her latest book, “Marriage in the Middle.” Dorothy is the author of Making Marriage Beautiful and Marriage in the Middle. Her work...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is, “You are wanted by the Trinity.” In this episode Smith explains the importance of understanding the Trinity. Understanding the Trinity informs us that God wants to be in relationship with...
Today’s thought from above is this: God is greater than our hearts. In this episode James Bryan Smith unpacks his thought from above with a story from his childhood. Smith explains the importance of understanding our identity in order to...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above Conversation with Dr. Scot McKnight. In this episode James talks with Scot about his latest book “A Church Called Tov” which he co-authored with his daughter Laura Barringer. Scot will be speaking at...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above in this episode is: “You are already there.” Over the last several episodes; 101, 103, 104, and 106, we have been been unpacking some of the key aspects of what it means that Jesus...
Over the last several episodes we have been examining the powerful truths that come from the fact that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. In episode 101 we talked about how God is exactly like Jesus. Episode...
James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Susie Larson. In this episode James talks with Susie about 3 of her 17 books, “Your Beautiful Purpose”, “Prevail”, and “Fully Alive.” Throughout the episode Susie and Jim both talk about...
In this episode James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is: “Jesus perfected you forever.” Over the last few episodes James has been teaching about what it means that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God. James opens the...
The thought from above in this episode is: “Jesus Upholds You.” James Bryan Smith opens the episode with a passage from Hebrews 1:3. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all...
James Bryan Smith and Kyle Strobel sit down for a Things Above conversation. In this episode, James goes through a series of questions regarding Kyle’s latest book (Co-Authored with John Coe) called “When Prayer Becomes Real.” James and Kyle discuss...
In this episode James Bryan Smith’s thought from above is, Jesus is God exactly. Smith opens this episode with a passage from Hebrews 1:3. “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining...
How do we increase grace? As we learned in episode 98, grace is God’s action in our lives. James Bryan Smith explains how we can increase the grace of God in our lives through spiritual disciplines. Richard Foster was the...
Our guest for this episode is, Fr. Richard Rohr. Richard is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province. He is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation and academic dean of the CAC’s Living School. An internationally...
The thought from above in this episode is: “Create Space for Grace.” James Bryan Smith continues with his key ideas that are essential to Christian spiritual formation. These last five episodes are foundational for what this podcast is all about,...
James Bryan Smith’s thought from above for this episode is: “say no to say yes.” James learned this thought from above while under the tutelage of Richard Foster. Richard explained to James that whenever we say yes to something, we...
James Bryan Smith and John Mark Comer have a Things Above conversation! In this episode James and John talk about a multitude of topics including; sexuality, theology, spiritual formation and more. Smith and Comer both explain the impact and importance...