I recently recorded a conversation with my dear friend Jimmy Humphrey, host of Jimmy’s Table podcast, in which we discussed the idea of having a practical spirituality. This came out of a personal conversation we had about online Christian influencers and how many of them are so heavenly-minded minded they seem no earthly good. Being spiritual doesn't require some crazy regimen of prayer and fasting. It is the day-to-day things we do for ourselves and our neighbors. These are things you might already be doing but maybe haven't recognized the presence of God in it. In a world that encourages you to dream big and have hairy audacious goals, practical spirituality is the antidote to the expectations we place on ourselves to perform or excel. Instead, you are invited to pull up a seat at the table and share a meal. From feeling the pressures of performance to discovering practices that will help you grit it out when life gets tough, this discussion covers it all. Enjoy.

In this episode, I talk with my good friend Daren Hall who tells his story of redemption and transformation. We discuss the importance of humility, community, and making amends, as well as the challenges of navigating temptation and maintaining sobriety. Daren emphasizes the significance of surrendering to recovery and the power of honesty in healing. The conversation concludes with practical advice for those struggling with substance use, highlighting the importance of seeking help and surrounding yourself with supportive people.

Summary

In this conversation, Daniel Rushing explores the complexities surrounding Halloween, particularly from a Christian perspective. He discusses the historical roots of Halloween, its connection to All Hallows' Eve, and the varying attitudes within Christianity towards the holiday. Rushing reflects on the nature of evil and horror in culture, the emotional responses elicited by art, and the significance of confronting death and tragedy. Ultimately, he advocates for a balanced view of Halloween as a time to celebrate life and remember those who have passed, encouraging listeners to embrace the holiday with joy and reflection.

Takeaways:

Halloween has always been a tricky time for Christians.

The term 'Holy Ween' reflects a misunderstanding of Halloween's roots.

All Hallows' Eve has deep historical and religious significance.

Many Halloween traditions have origins in both Christianity and paganism.

The celebration of Halloween can be a way to remember loved ones.

Not all Christians enjoy horror or macabre themes associated with Halloween.

Art allows us to confront evil from a safe distance.

We often engage with stories of tragedy to process our own experiences.

The complexity of Halloween reflects broader cultural and religious histories.

Embracing Halloween can be a way to celebrate life and mortality.

We are talking shame, addiction, and werewolves in "Torn," a new movie directed by Ryen William Thomas and written by Jordon Alexander & Benjamin Johnston. In this episode, I interview filmmaker Ryen William Thomas about his new thriller film, Torn. The conversation delves into the film's exploration of themes such as shame, guilt, and addiction, and how these elements reflect the human condition. Ryen shares insights into his journey as a director, the collaborative nature of filmmaking, and the personal experiences that shaped his portrayal of shame in the film. The discussion also touches on the interplay between internal and external influences on shame, particularly in the context of faith and community. We explore the themes of addiction, isolation, guilt, shame, and cultural identity as they relate to the film 'Torn'. We talk about the impact of societal values on personal struggles, the importance of connection versus isolation, and the complexities of navigating guilt and shame. The conversation also delves into the role of mythology in shaping cultural identity and the challenges of discerning truth in a world filled with deception.

Pastors who minister in an increasingly divided world are learning in real-time how to navigate the complexities of social media, political polarization, and diversity in the church. In this episode, I sit down with Pentecostal Pastor Dr. Nathan Rouse, a ministry veteran who pastors a diverse church and actively engages on social media in a way that is challenging but not polarizing. In this episode we discuss our call stories, being Pentecostal, Christian engagement on social media, and being a parent while pastoring.

Dr. Rouse's Blog "The Pastors Confessional" is here.

The Intersections Blog is here.

I recommend Rene Girard's book "I See Satan Fall Like Lightning.”

Christians are outraged over the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris after there was a performance that might have been a parody of The Lord's Supper, a famous painting by Leonardo Da Vinci. In this episode, I share my thoughts about a seething anger found among many Christians that is emerging as an unquenchable outrage.

In this episode we're talking about Louisiana's newest law requiring a copy of the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom in the state. The law stipulates that a Protestant version of the commandments appear on 11x14 inch posters in every public school classroom from grade schools through state universities

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Was Jesus rich or poor? In this episode, we will look at the second half of a sermon preached by Bishop Wayne Michael in which he argues that Jesus was rich and that it is a moral obligation that his followers pursue wealth. Among other things, Michael will argue that Jesus came from a royal family, wore designer clothes, and bought expensive wines. Could that be correct? My commentary will address these claims and others to see if there is any evidence that Jesus was rich and what that might mean for those trying to follow his teaching and example.

The intersection of faith and business is important to me. In the business world, there is a lot of talk about the law of attraction and other success philosophies. As a bivocational minister and entrepreneur, I sometimes struggled to reconcile success philosophies with my faith. I had come to believe that Jesus was poor, that Jesus preferred the poor, and because of that wealth was bad. In this podcast I engage with a sermon preached by Bishop Wayne Michael in which he tries to answer the question, “Was Jesus rich or poor?” You will hear my commentary on some of the good and not-so-good ideas he puts forward in his message and how success philosophies might be spiritual in nature.

The last year has been a season of disintegration and reintegration and a lot has changed since the last podcast episode. It has been a time of rethinking my calling and discerning what I feel called to now. In this episode, I discuss how my motivations for spirituality as a minister affected my personal identity, church hurt, the way I think my church failed to live up to its promises of offering true freedom from sin and shame, and what I intend to do about all that with and in my own life. I will also share how these changes in perspective affect the future of the content I produce for the Uncensored Wizard Podcast.